Flour millers warned that the Sindh wheat policy crisis could spark shortages after January 15, 2026, speaking at an emergency press conference held Tuesday at the Karachi Press Club.
Chairman Abdul Junaid Aziz said current policies favor traders over flour mills, disrupting supply chains and threatening the continuous availability of flour across Sindh in the coming weeks.
He warned that if wheat continues to be supplied at low prices to traders instead of mills, flour shortages and sharp price increases could become unavoidable for consumers.
Abdul Junaid Aziz stressed that flour prices have remained unchanged for the past two years despite inflation, but new government decisions now risk destabilizing the market.
Visit Times of Karachi website for the latest news-related content
He demanded that wheat be supplied directly to flour mills, saying this was the only way to ensure uninterrupted production and stable flour availability for households.
The chairman cautioned that delays beyond January 15 could lead to panic buying, hoarding, and further pressure on already strained food supply systems.
Association leader Mahmood Maulvi leveled serious allegations during the press conference, claiming that influential figures within the Sindh government demanded bribes worth billions of rupees.
Maulvi stated that the association possesses documentary evidence and video recordings allegedly showing bribery demands linked to wheat supply decisions.
READ: Karachi likely to face 120 million gallon of water disruption till Dec 27
He warned that if wheat supplies to flour mills are not restored within 24 hours, all evidence would be made public without hesitation.
The allegations added a political dimension to the crisis, intensifying pressure on provincial authorities to review their wheat distribution framework.
The Flour Millers Association clarified that it is willing to purchase wheat at Rs 95 per kilogram, countering claims that mills are resisting fair market rates.
Despite this willingness, leaders alleged that wheat supply to mills is being deliberately withheld, worsening fears of a looming flour crisis.
They argued that prioritizing traders over mills disrupts the regulated system designed to keep flour affordable for the general population.
Follow the Times of Karachi channel on WhatsApp
Industry representatives warned that continued policy uncertainty could discourage mill operations, leading to reduced production capacity across Sindh.
The association issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Sindh government, demanding immediate changes to the existing wheat policy.
Failure to act, they said, could result in a province-wide flour shortage, directly impacting low-income households most dependent on subsidized food staples.
They urged authorities to act responsibly and engage with stakeholders to prevent unnecessary hardship for millions of consumers.
