Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) and the Punjab Food Department (PFD) high officials held negotiations on Saturday to bring stability to flour prices in the market especially in the province.
It was agreed that both sides will work together in this regard and reportedly the department allowed millers to fix the prices in every district according to the wheat price plus Rs 100 grinding charges for a 20 kilograms flour bag.
An 8-member delegation of Pakistan Flour Mills Association led by its chairman Asim Raza, called on Punjab Food Secretary Waqas Ali Mahmood. Director Food Wajid Ali Shah and Punjab Flour Mills chairman Abdul Rauf Mukhtar Awan were also present on this occasion.
It was agreed in the meeting that Food Department and Flour Mills Association will work together to brin the stability of flour prices in the market. Pakistan Flour Mills Association chairman Asim Raza said Association has not issued any rate for increasing flour prices in Punjab.
Punjab Food Secretary Waqas Ali Mahmood while addressing the meeting said flour mills will have a permission to purchase wheat from any division of Punjab on cheap rates. Food Department will facilitate them in this regard. Waqas Ali Mahmood said Punjab Food Department and Punjab Flour Mills Association will work together on mutual strategy and all the problems faced by flour mills will be addressed. District Food Controller will be responsible for any complaint registered against them by any flour mill.
After achieving the target of 40 lakh metric ton wheat, a summary has been sent to Chief Minister Punjab to stop further procurement of wheat, Secretary Food, added. Meanwhile, the PFMA had started charging new rates in the province from today by applying wheat charges prevailing in any district plus Rs 100 grinding charges. After this 20 kilogram flour bag will now be available at Rs 925 in Lahore where 40 kg wheat is available at Rs 1600 in the open market.