RAWALPINDI: The Wheat Flour Dealers Association, All Pakistan Naanbai Association and Karyana Merchants Association will stop selling flour in Rawalpindi Division from Wednesday to protest imposition of withholding tax on flour mills and the subsequent increase in the price of the commodity.

The announcement was made in a joint meeting of the presidents and secretaries of the three associations, including Zahoor Bhatti, Salim Parvez Butt and Shafiq Qureshi.

In a statement, they said the wheat flour supply would be completely stopped until the government withdrew the taxes, adding that a complete strike would be observed in the division.

All Pakistan Naanbai Association President Shafiq Qureshi demanded the Punjab government to abolish tax on wheat flour and instruct mill owners not to increase rates on their own.

Demand withdrawal of withholding tax on flour mills price hike

“If the flour price is not reduced, we will announce new rates of Roti and Naan next week or stop baking it,” he warned.

Mr Qureshi said price of wheat flour and fine flour had been increased, with the price of a 79kg bag raised by Rs1,000 in the last one week in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and their surrounding areas.

“The price of LPG has also been hiked,” he said, adding that it would be difficult to make Roti at low price. If this situation continues, Naanbais will go on strike,” he said.

Rawalpindi Karyana Merchant Association Saleem Pervaiz Butt toldDawnthat all shopkeepers would stop selling wheat flour in the market from Wednesday as they would not sell it at low rate.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Aamir Khattak has directed deputy commissioners to ensure that the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz of reducing wheat flour prices were immediately implemented.

In order to pass on the benefit of the reduction in the price of flour to the people, he said it was necessary that the price magistrates ensured prompt implementation of this price.

As per the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the retail price of 10kg flour was set at Rs900 while the price of a 20kg bag was fixed at Rs1,800. Likewise, fortified flour rate was fixed at Rs920 per 10kg bag and Rs1840 for a 20kg bag.

The Rawalpindi commissioner said there was also a Qeemat Punjab application for the public to complain about excessive rates, in which they could register their complaints regarding overcharging.

He said according to the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, practical steps were being taken to provide maximum relief to the people.

Price control magistrates should be present in the field to ensure the sale of flour at government notified rates. Any kind of negligence in this regard will not be tolerated, he added.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2024