Flour mills across Pakistan have begun a nationwide strike on Thursday, protesting the implementation of a 5% withholding tax imposed by the government.

The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) Chairman Aamir Abdullah stated that the government imposed the “unjustified” withholding tax on flour mills starting July 1, 2024.

Abdullah further argued that flour mills are already part of the tax net and cannot bear the additional burden.

Prior to the strike, flour mills attempted to reach out to relevant government officials and authorities on July 3rd but received no response.

“We have initiated a nationwide strike for an indefinite period until our demands are met,” Abdullah declared.

He added that approximately 2,000 flour mills, including 250 in Sindh, have completely halted operations in protest of the withholding tax, leading to a nationwide disruption in the supply of flour and wheat products.

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Abdullah emphasized the unity of flour mills across Pakistan, stating that the government’s action has resulted in rising prices of essential commodities, particularly flour, which had become more affordable in recent years. The strike is expected to exacerbate the flour crisis in Karachi and other parts of the country.

“Yesterday, we stopped wheat cleaning, and today (Thursday), flour mills have stopped grinding wheat,” Abdullah concluded.