LAHORE: Flour millers have declined to accept Punjab government’s request of postponing their strike until Youm-i-Ashur to ensure smooth supply of atta during Muharram days.

Punjab food minister Bilal Yaseen had invited representatives of Punjab chapter of Pakistan Flour Mills Association and Progressive Flour Millers Group for a meeting to discuss the strike by the industry from July 11 for an indefinite period to protest against imposition of withholding tax (WHT) on the sale of atta.

The government side, including food secretary Moazzam Iqbal Sipra and food director Shoaib Jadoon, tried to convince the millers to put off their strike until Youm-i-Ashur so that the people did not face flour shortage.

However, the millers declined to oblige saying the WHT was a federal subject and the strike decision had been taken nation-wide, only the national body of the PFMA could review the decision, said a participant in the meeting.

He told Dawn that the minister and food department high-ups were also informed about the ground reality that the atta dealers were not ready to share their computerised national identity cards and tax status (filer or non-filer) with the mills and were rather ready to suspend lifting the staple if forced to submit the CNIC and tax details.

Likewise, the government team was also challenged on fixing atta rates for various markets in the province, while the authorities were not ready to ensure a fixed rate of wheat in the markets, he added.

“We rather told the government side that imposition of WHT on multiple stages would make the staple costlier contrary to its claims of providing cheaper atta to the people by not purchasing grain from the farmers.”

Meanwhile, Punjab plans to launch fortified atta shortly to overcome certain medical issues of children and women.

A spokesperson for the department said that the fortified flour would contain iron, vitamin and other minerals found to be deficient among children and women in the province.

He said that only Punjab Food Authority labs would be authorised to test samples of the fortified flour.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.