KARACHI: Affordable Flour remains the Sindh Government’s top priority as Provincial Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman chaired a high-level meeting with representatives of the Flour Mills Association to review wheat stocks, market prices and measures to ensure an uninterrupted flour supply across the province.

The meeting brought together senior government officials, including the Adviser to the Chief Minister on Rehabilitation, the Chairman of the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT), the Commissioner of Karachi, the Secretary of Food and other officials. The Flour Mills Association delegation included Chief Patron Haji Yousif, Chairman Junaid Aziz, Vice Chairman Abid Masood and other office-bearers.

Government Prioritises Affordable Flour

Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman said providing affordable flour to every household remains the government’s foremost responsibility.

“The welfare of the common man is our highest priority. Flour prices must remain affordable, and every stakeholder should play a responsible role in protecting consumers,” he said.

The minister directed flour mill owners to keep prices as low as possible while ensuring uninterrupted flour production and distribution throughout Sindh.

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Anti-Hoarding Drive Strengthens Market Stability

The minister said the Sindh Government has intensified intelligence-based operations against wheat hoarders, illegal profiteers and unauthorised traders.

He said the campaign has improved market stability and that enforcement actions will continue to eliminate artificial shortages.

According to the Food Department, Sindh currently holds 446,947 metric tonnes of wheat. The stock includes 140,000 metric tonnes of carry-over wheat, 81,812 metric tonnes procured during the current season and 225,135 metric tonnes recovered through anti-hoarding operations.

The minister said these strategic reserves are sufficient to stabilise the market and protect consumers from unnecessary price increases.

Government Ready to Procure More Wheat

Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman said there are no restrictions on the movement of wheat between districts within Sindh, allowing smooth transportation and uninterrupted supplies.

He added that if additional wheat is needed to maintain market stability, the provincial government will procure supplies from PASSCO to support continuous flour production.

Flour Mills Seek Higher Storage Limit

Representatives of the Flour Mills Association thanked the Sindh Government for its cooperation and noted that Sindh has supplied wheat to other provinces whenever needed.

However, they expressed concern that some provinces have not allowed wheat shipments into Sindh, contributing to higher wheat prices and increasing pressure on flour costs.

The association also requested the government to increase the wheat storage limit for flour mills from one month’s grinding capacity to two months, arguing that the current limit affects operational efficiency.

Karachi Prices Remain Stable

Commissioner Karachi said close coordination between the district administration and flour millers has helped maintain stable flour prices across the city.

He said wheat is currently selling for about Rs11,600 per unit, while flour is available at the government-notified price of approximately Rs125 per kilogram.

Secretary Food told the meeting that many traders involved in wheat hoarding were operating without licences issued by the Sindh Food Department.

He said strict legal action against unlicensed traders would continue to prevent artificial shortages and protect market stability.

The food minister assured the Flour Mills Association that its proposals, including increasing the permissible storage capacity, would be presented to the provincial government for consideration.

Concluding the meeting, Makhdoom Mehboob uz Zaman reaffirmed the Sindh Government’s zero-tolerance policy against hoarding, illegal profiteering and artificial shortages, saying the administration will continue working with flour mills to ensure affordable flour remains available across Sindh.