Owing to the interprovincial restrictions on wheat and flour transport and the ensuing price hike, the Chief Minister (CM) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Sohail Afridi has directed the Food Department to release 136,000 metric tons of wheat from strategic reserves to meet wheat shortage.
Food availability will not be allowed to become hostage to provincial barriers or administrative boundaries, stressed Sohail Afridi.
He stressed further that Article 151 of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the free movement of goods across the country.
The price of wheat in the open market of the province has reached Rs 13,650 per 100 kg.
To meet the challenge, the KP government will provide wheat at a subsidized rate of Rs 10,414 per 100 kgs.
It was also decided that the wheat release process will be carried out in a fully transparent manner and strictly in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
Wheat will be supplied only to eligible flour mills and authorised dealers while the sale of flour at officially notified rates will be ensured at all costs
Moreover, monitoring and physical verification will be conducted at the district and tehsil levels and strict action will be taken against hoarders and those selling above official prices,