ISLAMABAD: The National Bureau of Statistics has reported yet another surge in flour prices across Pakistan, with Islamabad emerging as the most expensive city for consumers.
A 20‑kilogram bag of flour in the capital now costs Rs3,133.33, while in neighboring Rawalpindi the price has reached Rs3,093.33.
Price Hikes Across Cities
According to the weekly data, flour prices rose by up to Rs100 in several urban centers.
Khuzdar recorded a Rs100 increase, Bahawalpur Rs60, Hyderabad Rs40, and Larkana Rs20. In Quetta, the price climbed by Rs20, reaching Rs2,700 per bag.
Bannu reported flour at Rs2,900, while in Peshawar the price touched Rs3,100.
Karachi’s flour bag now stands at Rs3,000, Larkana at Rs2,620, Sukkur at Rs2,580, and Hyderabad at Rs2,880.
In Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha, Multan and Bahawalpur, flour is priced at Rs2,800. Lahore and Faisalabad remain relatively lower at Rs2,300 and Rs2,200 respectively.
Policy Flip‑Flops and Farmer Anger
The latest surge comes against the backdrop of government indecision over wheat imports.
Punjab and Sindh initially resisted imports, citing harm to local farmers, before shifting positions under pressure from rising flour prices.
Farmers have repeatedly criticized the withdrawal of the wheat support price under IMF conditions and inconsistent procurement policies.
Similar flip‑flops have plagued sugarcane growers, who face delayed payments and uncertain support prices.
These policy reversals have fueled frustration among farmers, with groups such as Kissan Ittehad announcing mass mobilizations, including a planned “Million March” in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Analysts warn that provincial governments, already wary of losing public support amid debates over the 28th constitutional amendments and fears of new provinces being carved out, cannot afford further alienation of farmers and consumers.
Consumers Bear the Brunt
With flour prices crossing Rs3,000 in major cities, households face mounting pressure.
Officials attribute the variation in prices to local demand, supply constraints, and delivery costs.
However, critics argue that the absence of structural reforms in procurement, pricing, and storage continues to turn each harvest season into a crisis, leaving Pakistan — an agrarian country — dependent on short‑term fixes and emergency imports.
