PFMA rejects proposed increase in wheat prices

Chairman Punjab Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) Chaudhry Abdul Jabbar has said increase in wheat prices will make it impossible for poor masses to even buy flour. "Pakistan is self-sufficient in wheat production for the last three years as it is not only fulfilling its country's requirement but also exporting wheat and wheat products," he said.
Therefore, increase in the wheat support price would destroy the flour milling industry set up in the country with investment of billions of rupees, he added. He further claimed that wheat prices in Pakistan were already high as compared to international market. He said that if government intended to benefit the growers, then it should give them direct subsidy on prices of seed, electricity and diesel and common man should not be burdened by increasing wheat prices, he said. Jabbar said that the association had conveyed its point of view on this proposed decision of increasing wheat prices and would announce future line of action soon if positive response was not received from the government.