Lahore: The Pakistan Flour Mills Association members in Punjab have gone on strike for an indefinite period, triggering fears of an impending flour shortage in the market.

Tahir Hanif Malik, the Punjab chairman of the millers’ association, told Aaj Digital that they have gone on strike in protest against the highhanded behaviour of Punjab authorities.

The millers are demanding an end to physical visits by officials of the Punjab Food Department and the Revenue department. The data regarding their production is available on the government portal, they say. They have also sought an end to relaxation on the movement of flour trucks.

Arif Dareshak, an office-holder in the association, said that mills were being raided and their owners harassed. At least one miller from Faisalabad was arrested and the mill sealed.

Malik, the Punjab chairman, said that Anjum Ashfaq, the mill owner, has since been bailed. He said the miller was arrested on spurious charges and his mill sealed.

“1,035 mills in Punjab have stopped operations due to the strike,” said Dareshk. “If the issues are not resolved, there may be a shortage of flour in the next two days,” he warned.

The millers say the strike will continue until the Punjab chief minister and chief secretary agree to their demands in person.

Another group of millers known as the United Group of Flour Mills Association have distanced themselves from the strike. However, the number of millers in this faction are less than two dozen. Aaj News made several attempts to contact the representative of this faction but didn’t receive any response.

Meanwhile, the food department has decided to distribute 16,700 metric tonnes of wheat to millers.

Flour to sell at Rs40 per kg in KP

Federal Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Wednesday that flour is being supplied to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) at cheaper rates as ordered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif .

Giving details of the relief package, she said: “Flour will be made available at ‘Shehbaz Speed’ at Rs40 per kilo for which 100 mobile centres have already been set up in the province.

“The number of these stores will be increased to 200 by June 13,” she disclosed.

She informed that KP has been divided into two zones for the purpose: Peshawar Zone and Abbottabad Zone.

Marriyum went on to add that the programme would spread gradually to the entire province. “Already over 50, 000 bags of flour have been sold in both these zones,” she said.

The information minister explained that temporary sale points would be set up in different parts of KP by Thursday (tomorrow). “The number of these points will be increased to 500 by June 17,” she elaborated

(With additional information from PPI)