ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has said the price of wheat flour dropped to a seven-and-a-half-month low in the local markets across the country.
According to the statistics released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the price of 20 kg flour bag in Karachi was reduced by Rs 120 while the price of the flour bag in Multan became cheaper by Rs 390.
PBS further said in Larkana a bag of flour became cheaper by Rs 80 while in Bannu, the price of a bag of flour decreased by Rs 20.
A bag of flour has been reduced from Rs 1,250 to Rs 860 in Multan, from Rs 1,320 to Rs 1,200 in Karachi, from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,120 in Larkana and from Rs 1,220 to Rs 1,200 in Bannu, as per PBS data.
“Peshawar residents are forced to buy the most expensive flour in the country at present as the 20kg bag of flour is being sold for up to Rs 1,300 in the provincial capital, PBS said. In addition, there were also reports of flour bags being sold for up to Rs 1,280 in Hyderabad.
The statistics agency further said that a bag of flour costs Rs 1,270 in Quetta and up to Rs 1,230 in Khuzdar. Flour bags cost up to Rs 870 in Islamabad, Rs 855 in Sialkot, Rs 860 in Lahore and Rawalpindi, and up to Rs 860 in Faisalabad, Sargodha, Gujranwala and Bahawalpur.
Earlier, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had directed the Ministry of National Food Security to devise a mechanism to ensure the stability of wheat prices across the country and giving direct flour subsidy to those living below the poverty line.
While chairing a meeting to review prices of daily commodities the prime minister reviewed different proposals to ensure the availability of daily use items at suitable prices.
PM Imran observed that there was no shortage of edible items in the country, and vowed that effective and practical steps to ensure stability in the prices of daily commodities, especially flour and wheat, would continue.
He ordered the Ministry of National Food Security to formulate strategies in this regard in collaboration with other relevant ministries.
The prime minister also directed Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam to work out a comprehensive plan in consultation with the provincial governments, flour mills association representatives and other concerned departments over the immediate availability of flour at suitable prices across the country.
