DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Advisor to the Chief Minister on finance Muzammil Aslam has accused the Punjab government of repeatedly violating Article 151 of the Constitution by imposing what he termed an illegal ban on the movement of wheat and flour, saying the decision had triggered a nationwide crisis.
In a video statement, Mr Aslam said prices of wheat and flour in the open markets of Punjab and Sindh had declined following the KP government’s announcement to release wheat from its strategic reserves.
He questioned why similar relief was not seen when wheat was released by Punjab and Sindh.
“The wheat and flour crisis in the country is entirely due to the policies of the Punjab government,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s wheat supply largely depends on Punjab and Sindh.
He alleged that Punjab’s restrictions had disrupted inter-provincial supply and amounted to a continuous violation of Article 151, which guarantees free movement of goods across provinces.
Aslam claimed that Punjab’s procurement policy had harmed farmers by purchasing wheat at Rs22 per maund, while benefiting hoarders and middlemen.
He said that due to Punjab’s ban, KP was receiving 10 to 12 per cent more flour, pushing wheat prices in the province up to Rs5,000 per maund.
He reiterated that the KP government would release 136,000 metric tons of wheat from its strategic reserves to stabilise prices.
Under the policy, the price of a 20-kilogram bag of flour has been fixed at Rs2,220.
The finance adviser said that KP government-issued flour bags would carry a green stamp to ensure authenticity, adding that consumers would now get flour at Rs104 per kilogram instead of Rs125.
He maintained that the policy was aimed at providing immediate relief to the public and protecting consumers from profiteering and artificial shortages.
