A delegation of Islamabad Flour Mills Association (IFMA) called on Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and complained about the Punjab government's wheat policy whereby the government has banned inter-district movement of wheat stock.
This has caused a serious shortage of Atta supply to the consumers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi areas.
The representatives of the Flour Mills have pointed out that both Islamabad and have been depending on the Food Department of Punjab to issue wheat permits to the Flour Mills.
These permits have been discontinued. Also, the Flour Mills have been trying to purchase wheat directly from the farmers at prices higher than the prices offered by the government, but these stocks are being held up by the Punjab government during transit to their destinations.
If the restrictions imposed by the government of Punjab are lifted the and wheat stocks supplied as previously by the Food Department to the Flour Mills, the price wheat Atta per bag of 20 kilos would be reduced by Rs 30 and supply would be restored to normal.
The Acting President of ICCI, Chaudhry Mukhtar Ahmed informed the delegation that the viewpoints of the Flour Mills owners seem to be valid and he has urged the government concerned to review its policy and provide immediate relief to the mill-owners and the consumers in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.