Islamabad Flour Supply at Risk After Wheat Permit Suspension, Mill Owners Warn
ISLAMABAD: Flour mill owners have warned that Islamabad and nearby areas could face flour supply disruptions after the Punjab Food Department reportedly suspended wheat transportation permits for mills operating in the federal capital.
The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA), Rawalpindi chapter, said the move could affect around 45 flour mills in Islamabad at a time when flour prices are already under pressure.
Mill Owners Raise Supply Concerns
According to the association, wheat permits that allowed Islamabad-based flour mills to procure wheat from Punjab have reportedly been suspended. The PFMA stated that no written order or official notification was issued, adding that the decision was communicated verbally on July 13.
The association warned that if wheat supplies are not restored promptly, the region could experience an artificial shortage of flour, increased black-market activity, and disruptions to the regular supply chain.
Islamabad Mills Depend on Punjab Wheat
Flour mills located in Islamabad’s I-9 and I-10 industrial areas have traditionally sourced wheat from Punjab to meet the demand of consumers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The PFMA noted that Rawalpindi has 11 flour mills, but only seven are currently operational, making Islamabad’s mills an important source of flour for the twin cities and surrounding areas, including Murree and Kotli Sattian.
Industry Warns of Wider Impact
The association expressed support for Islamabad’s flour mills and stated that flour mills in Rawalpindi may also suspend operations if wheat supplies to Islamabad are not restored.
According to the PFMA, transport permits for nearly 8,000 tonnes of wheat were being issued regularly until recently, helping maintain stable flour supplies. The sudden suspension, it said, could disturb the market and create uncertainty for both millers and consumers.
Calls for Immediate Restoration of Wheat Permits
Pakistan Flour Mills Association (Punjab) Chairman Riazullah Khan said flour mills were established in Islamabad specifically to meet the food requirements of the twin cities.
He explained that the Punjab Food Department has historically managed wheat supplies for Islamabad mills through its Rawalpindi office. However, repeated interruptions in wheat permits over recent months have created operational challenges for the industry.
The association also pointed out that the Punjab Food Department had introduced an online permit system and registered Islamabad’s flour mills on the platform. Despite complying with the department’s requirements, the mills reportedly lost access to wheat permits without any formal explanation.
PFMA Urges Government Action
The PFMA has called on the Punjab Food Department to immediately restore wheat transportation permits and reopen access to the online permit portal. It believes that a transparent digital system can improve efficiency, reduce discretionary decisions, and help prevent corruption.
The association also urged authorities to ease restrictions on wheat movement and appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to intervene to ensure an uninterrupted flour supply for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and surrounding areas.
If the issue remains unresolved, industry representatives say flour availability in the region could come under increasing pressure in the coming days.
