Flour Mills Across Punjab Announce Province-Wide Strike
Flour mills across Punjab are set to suspend operations after the Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) announced a province-wide strike over what it described as industry-related concerns, including quota suspensions, permit issues and alleged irregularities in the Food Department.
The association said wheat and flour quota permits had been suspended, while some mills were being sealed and fined up to Rs. 5 million over what it called minor violations.
Flour Millers Raise Permit Concerns
PFMA representatives also alleged that payments were being demanded for permits and truck lists required to transport wheat, flour and bran.
The association said it plans to approach the Anti-Corruption Establishment against the District Food Controller (DFC), alleging that Rs. 150,000 was demanded for each permit. These allegations have been made by the association and have not been independently established.
The PFMA also questioned the appointment of a Grade 15 employee as DFC and called for the position to be given to a senior officer on merit.
Association Calls for Resolution
PFMA Chairman Riazullah Khan said flour millers did not want to take advantage of political instability and only wanted to operate their businesses according to the law.
He alleged that DFC Azhar Baloch had introduced a system that made it difficult for millers to obtain transport permits. The allegations were rejected or disputed by the concerned authorities, if applicable.
Khan said the provincial government had previously introduced an online system through which flour mills could generate transport permits based on their requirements.
According to him, the authority for issuing permits in the Rawalpindi Division was later transferred to the DFC, after which the association alleged that payments ranging from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000 were being sought for individual permits.
Concerns Over Bran Transportation
The association also raised concerns about the transportation of bran, which is commonly used as animal feed.
Khan said an earlier arrangement with the Director General Food allowed flour mills to submit truck lists for transporting bran. However, he alleged that the arrangement was later discontinued and payments were being demanded for the lists.
The PFMA further claimed that the transportation of wheat and flour to other districts and provinces had been restricted and quotas abolished.
According to the association, these restrictions could make the transportation of wheat and flour more difficult and expensive and may put upward pressure on flour prices if the situation continues.
The flour millers have called for their concerns to be addressed and for the permit and quota system to be restored in a transparent manner.
