QUETTA: Crisis of flour shortage deteriorates in Balochistan as the 20kg price of flour has reached Rs2,800 on Friday.
According to details, the cost of flour has significantly increased in Quetta and other areas of Balochistan, while the commodity was not available in most shops across the province.
The 20kg flour bag is being sold for Rs2,800 now, which was Rs2,300, a week ago in the province. Flour shortage has also hit the Quetta utility stores despite the government’s subsidized flour scheme.
According to the association of flour mills, Quetta’s 18 flour mills need 25 thousand bags every day. They demanded that the government set aside 9 to 10 lac four bags every day.
Earlier, a massive flour shortage hit the Quetta utility stores. The price of a one-kilogram bag of flour has increased from Rs125 to Rs130 in the province. The price of the 50 kilograms bag has increased from Rs 6000 to Rs 6500, compared to Rs 2500 for the 20 kg. The huge bag weighing 100 kg now cost Rs. 12,000.
According to the organization of flour mills, government inefficiency is to blame for the price increase. The problem will get worsened if flour is not supplied to flour mills. On other hand, the sources within the Balochistan food department, they have struck a deal of 200,000 wheat sacks from Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation (PASSCO). The wheat will reach Quetta from Layyah tomorrow, they further said.
