HYDERABAD: Acting President of the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry, Ahmed Idrees Chohan, has expressed concern over another increase in flour prices in Hyderabad, saying that the price of flour has reached approximately Rs155 to Rs160 per kilogram.
He said the sharp increase was a matter of concern for ordinary citizens and urged the government to immediately strengthen monitoring of wheat availability, supply chains and market price trends.
Chohan said action against hoarders and the release of illegally withheld wheat stocks into the market were necessary. However, he stressed that such action should be carried out carefully so that it does not create a temporary shortage or put additional pressure on wheat supplies.
Representatives of the flour mills association have also highlighted the need to gradually release wheat stocks into the market while maintaining price stability.
Ahmed Idrees Chohan said the government’s objective should not simply be to release stored wheat, but to ensure that it reaches the market through a properly managed mechanism so that flour prices can be stabilized.
He called for immediate coordination among the Food Department, district administration, flour mills and representatives of the business community. He suggested that wheat supply and demand should be reviewed on a daily basis to identify potential shortages and price pressures in advance.
He said an effective price-control mechanism should not wait until prices have already increased. Instead, authorities should monitor market trends and take timely measures before prices rise sharply.
Chohan also urged authorities to activate price-control committees and ensure continuous monitoring of flour, wheat, milk, vegetables, fruits and other essential commodities. He said implementation of officially notified prices should also be ensured.
The Acting President of the Chamber said the business community supports government action against profiteering, hoarding and the creation of artificial shortages. However, he stressed that legitimate traders should not be unnecessarily harassed and called for a transparent, uniform and practical price-control policy based on ground realities.
He said the difference between government wheat stocks, wheat quotas supplied to flour mills and open-market prices should also be regularly reviewed to identify irregularities and maintain stability.
Ahmed Idrees Chohan urged the Sindh Chief Minister, Commissioner Hyderabad, Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad and the Sindh Food Department to take emergency measures to stabilize flour prices in Hyderabad, ensure uninterrupted wheat supplies, take effective action against hoarding and provide essential food items to the public at reasonable prices.
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