Ahmed Mukhtar Naqshbandi
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Flour Mills Association Punjab has announced to go on strike from Monday (February 13), halting supplies to the market from February 14, local media reported on Sunday.
In a statement, Iftikhar Ahmad Mattu, Punjab Flour Mills Association’s Chairman, said that the millers would not lift wheat from February 13, will suspend flour supply in the markets from February 14.
He asked Food Department in Punjab to present evidence against the mills selling wheat, saying that his association was against such mills that were selling wheat.
Mattu also urged the department to establish flour sales points at shops. The representatives of the flour mills will supervise sale of flour at these shops, he added. The association condemned the actions against the flour mills, urging the department to inspect mills as per standard operating procedures.
PFMA chairman Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmad Mattu said that the provincial food secretary had adopted inappropriate behaviour and wrong policies.
Rift between Punjab Flour Mills Association, secretary food
Meanwhile, in a display of a deepening rift between the 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 the Punjab government will not be blackmailed.
He said the data of people was being collected who were instigating others to observe strike and create shortage of flour in the market. He said no decision had been taken against the millers and that majority of the mills had lifted their quota of wheat.
