KARACHI: Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah and Provincial Minister for Food Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman co-chaired a meeting to review the wheat stock position and flour prices across the province and to devise a coordinated strategy against hoarding, illegal storage and artificial price hike.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary Food, all Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners of the province and field officers of the Food Department.
The meeting reviewed the current wheat and flour situation in Sindh and was briefed that there are 290 flour mills and 1,033 licensed wheat traders operating in the province.
The meeting decided that, in accordance with the decision of the Sindh Cabinet, strict action would be initiated against hoarders and those involved in the illegal storage of wheat.
It was further decided that any wheat found to have been illegally hoarded would be confiscated at price already notified.
Any stock beyond the prescribed limit would be treated as hoarding and would be liable to confiscation by the Government at the price already notified.
It was also decided that any person, firm or entity other than registered flour mills, chakkis and licensed traders, if found holding wheat stock unlawfully, would face action under the relevant law. Such wheat stock would also be confiscated at the price already notified by the government.
Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah directed all Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Food Department officials to immediately initiate coordinated action against wheat hoarding in their respective jurisdictions.
He instructed the divisional and district administrations to prepare and implement an effective strategy in consultation with the Food Department so that hoarding, illegal storage and artificial shortage of wheat could be prevented.
The Chief Secretary said that the government does not want to create panic or disrupt legitimate business activity.
However, he made it clear that no one would be allowed to create an artificial shortage of wheat or exploit the situation for profiteering. “We do not want to disturb lawful business, but hoarding of wheat and manipulation of flour prices will not be tolerated,” the Chief Secretary said.
Provincial Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman said that the purpose of the action is not to create hardship for flour mills, chakkis or licensed traders, but to prevent hoarding and protect the public from artificial price increases.
He said that he would also hold a separate meeting with flour mill owners to take them into confidence and convey that the government’s action is only against hoarders and illegal stockists. He directed that this process must be given top priority and completed in accordance with law.
Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman said that the Food Department, district administration and field officers must work in close coordination to ensure availability of wheat and flour in the market at reasonable prices.
The meeting directed all Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to submit regular reports regarding action taken against hoarding, stock verification, market monitoring and price control.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026