Karachi/Hyderabad (HRNW) — The flour crisis in Sindh is worsening due to obstacles in wheat supply and alleged corruption, with recent government efforts to stabilize the market through subsidized wheat distribution reportedly failing.
According to sources, flour mill owners have claimed that officials from the Food Department are demanding bribes of Rs. 1,000 to 1,200 per bag to release wheat from government warehouses. As a result, many mill owners have refused to collect government wheat and have instead started purchasing it from the open market at higher rates, directly impacting consumers.
In the retail market, a 5-kg bag of flour is selling for up to Rs. 630, with some mills allegedly charging Rs. 650.
The situation worsened when reports emerged that some traders included in the subsidy scheme allegedly sold wheat at high prices in the open market with the cooperation of Food Department officials. Mill owners say this has created artificial shortages and disrupted the supply chain.
During an emergency meeting of the Flour Mill Owners Social Welfare Association, chaired by Haji Muhammad Memon at Hyderabad Press Club, members strongly opposed including traders in the subsidy scheme. They warned that such policies open new doors for market manipulation.
The association held the Sindh Food Department directly responsible for the flour crisis, citing insufficient wheat allocations and raising serious concerns over the quality of wheat stored in government warehouses. They emphasized that some stored wheat is unfit for human consumption and requires immediate laboratory testing.
The meeting concluded with the following demands to the government:
- Increase the wheat quota for flour mills.
- Ensure the supply of high-quality and clean wheat.
- Seal all avenues of corruption within the food supply chain.
