Punjab: Measures taken to curb inter-provincial flour smuggling

LAHORE: The local authorities have taken measures to control the illegal transportation of wheat and flour from Punjab to other provinces, ARY News reported on Monday.

According to details, the move comes after reports that thousands of sacks of wheat and flour have been smuggled from Punjab to other provinces with the purchase price reaching Rs3,700 per maund.

The authorities have tightened security at inter-provincial check posts to control the illegal transportation of the commodity. The number of anti-smuggling personnel has also been increased at Sindh check posts to curb flour’s movement.

Sources told ARY News that the flour was being smuggled to Afghanistan from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), adding that prices of wheat has skyrocketed due to illegal transportation. The price of wheat has increased from Rs3300 to Rs3700 in the market, sources added.

Earlier, Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association (KWGA) Chairman Abdul Rauf Ibrahim expressed fear of a flour crisis across the country and inflated prices up to Rs200 per kilogram.

While talking to ARY News programme Bakhabar Savera, KWGA Chairman Abdul Rauf Ibrahim revealed that the country is likely to witness a flour crisis in the coming days. He said that the flour prices are likely to be jacked up by Rs200 per kg.