Skyrocketing flour prices, Tandoors remain closed in Quetta
Staff Reporter:
In a bid to lodge a protest against skyrocketing flour prices, Tandoors (Ovens) remain closed for the seventh consecutive day in Quetta. Per kilogram of flour is being sold at Rs. 62 in Quetta currently, Naeem Khilji, the President Tandoors Association lamented. Mr. Khaliji has demanded of the government to fix Rs. 30 for the bread of 320 grams. Currently, the same bread is available at Rs. 20 in the Bazar.
Per kg of flour Rs. 62
Citizens of Quetta remained the worst sufferers of Tandoors owners strike. “We cannot afford to buy bread in Rs. 30”, Sabir, a young labourer at Quetta’s Gwalmandi Chowk said. Prices of almost all commodities have skyrocketed in Quetta like in other parts of the country. The purchasing power of masses finished.
In Quetta, the number of Tandoors shops is approximately 320. Most people rely on Tandoors for buying bread. Since afternoon I am in search of bread but all Tandoors are closed, Sherharyar, another labourer from Punjab province complained. “Rulers are least bothered about our plight”, he said.
Tandoor owners refuse to sell breat at Rs. 20
However, Naeem Khilji said Tandoor owners were not in a position to sell bread at the current 20 rupees rate since the flour prices skyrocketed currently. “Look at the heavy gas bills”, Khilji said.
Food restaurants however managed to provide bread to their customers despite the strike. It was not known that what was the weight of bread being provided to the customers in Quetta’s food restaurants. “We are bringing bread from very far”, Muhammad Zubair, a food restaurant owner told Quetta Voice.
Despite repeated attempts, the author was unable to get the district administration’s point of view about the prevailing strike of Tandoor association.