Web Desk: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s food authorities have warned of a looming flour shortage ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, citing continued restrictions on wheat and flour supplies from neighboring Punjab province.
According to officials, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Department has formally alerted Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security about a potential crisis, as demand for staple foods traditionally increases before Ramadan.
In a letter sent to the federal ministry, provincial authorities said unofficial barriers imposed in Punjab are still blocking the movement of wheat and flour into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The department said trucks carrying wheat and flour are being stopped at multiple checkpoints inside Punjab, preventing their entry into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As a result, supplies in the province have tightened significantly.
Meanwhile, officials noted that these disruptions have triggered an unusual surge in wheat and flour prices across local markets, increasing pressure on households already facing rising living costs.
Market observers in Peshawar reported that uncertainty over supply has fueled speculative buying, further pushing prices upward. Traders warned that the situation could worsen if restrictions remain in place during the weeks leading up to Ramadan.
In its communication, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government urged the federal authorities to immediately lift all interprovincial restrictions on the movement of wheat and flour.
Provincial officials stressed that free movement of essential food items is critical to maintaining price stability and avoiding shortages during Ramadan, when food consumption patterns shift and demand typically peaks.
Federal authorities have not yet issued a public response to the request.
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