Punjab flour mills to go on strike from tomorrow

Punjab Flour Mills Association has announced to go on strike from Monday (February 13) halting supplies to the market from February 14, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday. 

In a statement, Punjab Flour Mills Association’s Chairman Iftikhar Ahmad Mattu announced that the millers would not acquire wheat from February 13 and will suspend supply of flour in the markets from February 14.

He asked Punjab Food Department to table evidence against mills selling wheat, saying that his association was against such mills that were selling wheat.

The association chairman also urged the department to abolish trucking stations and establish sales points at shops for selling flour. The representatives of flour mills will supervise sale of flour at these shops. 

The association condemned the actions under the MPO against flour mills, urging the department to inspect mills as per standard operating procedures (SOPs).

PFMA Punjab chairman Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmad Mattu said that the provincial food secretary had adopted inappropriate behaviour and wrong policies.

Meanwhile, in a sign of a deepening rift between flour mills association and Punjab food secretary, Punjab Food Department has suspended wheat quota of 100 flour mills.

Secretary Food Punjab Muhammad Zaman Wattoo said provincial government will not be blackmailed by anyone.

He said the data of people was being collected who were instigating others to observe strike and create a shortage of flour in the market. 

Punjab Food Secretary said no decision had been taken against the millers and that majority of mills had lifted their quota of wheat. 

Reporter Saeed Ahmad