LAHORE: A dispute between the Nanbai Association and the Punjab Food Department over the pricing of bread has intensified, with the association warning that tandoors across Lahore could be shut down if authorities attempt to enforce prices against their demands.
According to sources, the disagreement over the official price of roti and naan remains unresolved, prompting the Nanbai Association to convene a meeting on Saturday to discuss the issue and formally announce revised prices for both items.
Sources within the association said members have decided to propose a price of Rs25 for roti and Rs35 for naan, citing increasing production costs and the financial burden on bakery owners. They argued that the current pricing structure is no longer sustainable due to rising expenses for flour, fuel, labor, and other operational costs.
The association has warned that if the government attempts to impose prices without addressing the concerns of tandoor owners, they may respond by closing their businesses in protest.
“We have decided to set the price of roti at Rs25 and naan at Rs35. If these rates are forcibly rejected or prices are imposed without consultation, we will shut down our tandoors,” association sources said.
The dispute comes as the Punjab government has yet to announce or finalize new official prices for roti and naan. According to sources, discussions between the Food Department and representatives of the Nanbai Association have so far failed to produce a mutually acceptable pricing formula.
Officials are reportedly continuing consultations to determine revised rates that balance the interests of consumers and bakery operators. However, no final decision has been communicated, leaving uncertainty in the market.
Bread prices are a highly sensitive public issue in Punjab, where roti and naan are staple food items consumed daily by millions of people. Any increase in their prices directly affects household budgets, particularly for low- and middle-income families already coping with inflation and rising living costs.
On the other hand, bakery owners argue that operating expenses have increased significantly in recent months. They maintain that without a revision in official prices, many tandoors will struggle to remain financially viable.
The Nanbai Association has repeatedly called for the government to consider the actual cost of production when determining retail prices. Association representatives say flour prices, energy costs, wages, and transportation expenses have all contributed to higher operating costs, making existing rates unsustainable.
The Food Department, meanwhile, is expected to continue discussions with stakeholders before announcing any revised pricing policy. Government officials typically seek to ensure that essential food items remain affordable while also addressing concerns raised by businesses.
If negotiations fail, the association’s threat to shut down tandoors could temporarily disrupt the supply of one of the province’s most commonly consumed food items. However, no official date for any potential closure has been announced.
The outcome of Saturday’s meeting is expected to provide greater clarity regarding the association’s next course of action and whether further negotiations with the Punjab government will continue.
For now, the disagreement remains unresolved, with both sides holding firm to their positions as consumers await an official announcement on the future prices of roti and naan in Punjab.
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