Peshawar: The federal government has directed the Punjab government to immediately remove obstacles affecting the transportation of wheat and flour to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other provinces amid growing concerns over rising flour prices and supply disruptions.
According to official sources, the Ministry of National Food Security has taken steps to monitor the situation more closely and facilitate uninterrupted movement of food supplies between provinces.
Sources said the ministry has provided a dedicated WhatsApp number to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government through which flour and wheat dealers can share videos and photographs if they face hurdles while transporting goods from Punjab.
The decision was reportedly made during a high-level meeting attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and provincial food secretaries from all four provinces.
Officials stated that the meeting focused on addressing complaints regarding inter-provincial restrictions and ensuring smooth transportation of essential food commodities, particularly wheat and flour.
The session was also attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam, Leader of the Opposition in the KP Assembly Dr. Ibadullah, and KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah.
According to sources, KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah informed the meeting that the provincial government had repeatedly raised concerns with the federal government and Punjab authorities regarding alleged barriers to wheat and flour transportation.
He reportedly emphasized that the KP government, opposition parties, and the provincial governor were all united on the issue of resolving the wheat crisis affecting the province.
During the meeting, Punjab’s Food Secretary reportedly denied imposing any formal restrictions on the transportation of wheat and flour.
However, KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah questioned the claim by asking why flour prices had increased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if there were truly no restrictions affecting supply routes.
The issue has become politically and economically sensitive as residents and traders in KP have complained about shortages and rising flour prices in recent weeks.
Sources said Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain instructed authorities to ensure that all barriers to wheat and flour transportation toward Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are removed immediately.
Speaking to Geo News, KP Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam said the Punjab government had been informed during the meeting that it could not constitutionally impose restrictions on the movement of wheat and flour between provinces.
He also pointed out that the price of a 100-kilogram flour bag in Balochistan was currently lower than in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting concerns over unequal supply conditions.
Muzammil Aslam said the federal government had assured provincial representatives that the matter would be resolved and that uninterrupted transportation of wheat and flour to KP would resume once obstacles were removed.
The issue of inter-provincial wheat movement has become increasingly important due to inflationary pressures and concerns over food security across Pakistan.
Economic experts warn that disruptions in supply chains can quickly lead to price hikes, hoarding, and shortages, particularly in provinces dependent on wheat supplies from Punjab.
Punjab is considered Pakistan’s largest wheat-producing province and plays a central role in supplying grain and flour to other regions of the country.
Analysts say any perceived restrictions or transportation delays can directly impact market prices in provinces such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The federal government’s intervention is being viewed as an attempt to prevent further escalation of the food supply issue and maintain stability in essential commodity prices.
Officials are expected to continue monitoring transportation routes and market conditions to ensure that wheat and flour supplies remain available across all provinces without disruption.
The latest developments also reflect increasing coordination between provincial and federal authorities to address food-related concerns amid broader economic challenges facing the country.
