Business and flour industry representatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have warned that the province could face a serious flour shortage if restrictions on wheat transportation from Punjab continue.
During a press conference at the Chamber House, leaders of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Pakistan Flour Mills Association expressed concern over the situation and urged authorities to take immediate action.
SCCI President Junaid Altaf and PFMA KP Chairman Naeem Butt said the province depends heavily on wheat supplies from Punjab to meet local demand.
According to industry officials, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa requires around 53,000 metric tonnes of wheat, but local production only covers about 12,000 metric tonnes. The remaining demand is fulfilled through wheat transported from Punjab.
They claimed that restrictions on wheat movement were creating difficulties for more than 300 flour mills operating across the province. Mill owners warned that continued disruptions could lead to shortages of flour and other wheat products in local markets.
Business representatives also argued that restrictions on interprovincial wheat movement go against constitutional principles related to free trade and movement between provinces.
The leaders demanded that the federal and provincial governments immediately remove barriers affecting wheat transportation. They also suggested that provinces should be allowed to import wheat independently if supply restrictions continue.
After the press conference, flour mill owners and chamber members held a protest on GT Road, where demonstrators blocked traffic and raised slogans against the restrictions.
Officials warned that if the issue is not resolved soon, prices of flour and related products could rise further, affecting consumers across the province.