Pakistan wheat crisis: people fighting for flour

    (File photo: Reuters)

As a result of reports of wheat shortages in some areas of the nation, Pakistan is experiencing its worst-ever flour crisis. In various locations in the provinces of Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, markets have gotten chaotic and stampedes have been recorded. The mishandling between the food department and flour mills is blamed for the issue.

#PakistanFlourCrisis, Visual from #Sindh Pakistan, people were seen squabbling for flour.

It's Painful💔💔#PakistanEconomy #ResilientPakistan pic.twitter.com/7qlSjh3rni

— Bakhtawar Shah (@Shah_Bakhtawar1) January 10, 2023

Thousands of people spend hours each day obtaining the subsidised bags of flour that are already in short supply on the market, the Express Tribune reported.

“आटा ख़त्म…Gate बंद…”

#PakistanEconomy #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/jgitifBIZR

— Jyot Jeet (@activistjyot) January 10, 2023

Prices for wheat and flour reached new heights as the crisis in Pakistan grew worse. There are rumours that flour costs Rs 160 per kilogramme in Karachi. In Islamabad and Peshawar, a 10 kilogramme bag of flour, meanwhile, costs Rs 1,500 per kg.

Following a price hike of Rs 150, the 15 kg flour bag is currently being offered for Rs 2,050. So far, in just two weeks, the cost of a 15 kg flour bag has increased by Rs 300. However, according to ARY News, pricing on the open market are unchanged.

Zamarak Achakzai, the minister of food for Balochistan, warned that the issue would worsen because some of the region's wheat supplies have entirely run out.

In the midst of Pakistan's severe flour shortage, a sizable shipment of wheat from Russia arrived at Karachi port. On Monday, two ships carrying wheat docked in Karachi, and another 4,50,000 tonnes of wheat will go from Russia to Pakistan via Gwadar port.

The Pakistani government is buying a total of 75 lakh tonnes of wheat to address the shortage. By March 30, Pakistan will receive the wheat it purchased from Russia. In addition to Russia, wheat imports from other nations are also arriving at Karachi port. The Express Tribune reported that 3,50,000 tonnes of wheat have arrived at Karachi port.