Syed Ali Shah, Manan Mandokhail:
Flour prices abruptly skyrocketed in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan compounding the problems of poor people. Per kilogram of flour was being sold at Rs.120 in the open market in Quetta on Monday evening.
“We are purchasing flour from mill owners at higher prices”, Khudaidad Agha, the President of Flour Shops Association Quetta said. The shop owners faced difficulties in the purchase of flour from mills in the provincial capital. The prices of Nan (bread) also jumped from Rs.25 to 50 rupees in the market.
Per 100kgs of flour being sold at Rs.12000 in Quetta
“Few lucky shopkeepers manage to purchase flour”, Mr. Agha said. In the open market in Quetta, a 100-kilogram bag was available at Rs.12000, 50kgs 6,000, and 20 kgs 2400.
Also Read: Floods paralyzed life in Balochistan
Officials termed the suspension of traffic between Balochistan and other parts of the country as the underlying reason behind the shortage of flour and skyrocketing prices. “Government has approved the purchase of 6,00,000 bags of 100kgs from Punjab government”, Ayaz Khan Mandokhail, the Secretary Balochistan Food Department told Daily Quetta Voice.
Also Read: Walking for miles, 72 flood affectees arrive in Kalat
Every year, the Balochistan food department purchases around one million flour bags from the Naseerabad division. However, this year, because of political infighting within the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), the department purchased 3,00,000 bags of flour.
Traffic suspension on highways is one of the reasons behind no transportation of wheat from Punjab
“This is also one of the reasons behind the skyrocketing prices”, another official of the food department requested anonymity revealed. The official was not authorized to speak to the media.
Flash floods unleashed by torrential rains wreaked havoc in Quetta and 26 districts of Balochistan. Floods have severely damaged the routine life, communication, and economy of the province, which covers half of the country in terms of area.
“We are facing difficulties in the transportation of flour because of blockade of highways”, Mr. Mandokhail mentioned. He informed that the government was in contact with the Punjab government and PASCO with regard to the purchase of wheat. “Flour would be available in the market, once traffic on highways is restored”, he explained.
The gas supply restored after a week
Shortage of flour has further compounded the problems of the people severely affected by recent monsoon rains. Quetta remained deprived of gas and power supplies for more than a week. On Sunday, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) succeeded in the restoration of the gas supply to Quetta.
Floods have also destroyed standing crops on more than 5 lakh acres of land in Balochistan recently.
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