Peshawar Faces Fresh Flour Crisis as Government Supply Runs Short
PESHAWAR: An artificial shortage of government-subsidised flour has reportedly emerged in Peshawar, causing difficulties for citizens trying to obtain flour from designated distribution points.
Residents of Faqirabad and Ashraf Road reportedly faced severe problems in getting their allocated flour supply, with people having to wait for extended periods at distribution outlets.
According to officials, timely supplies from flour mills failed to reach some dealers, resulting in stocks running out at several outlets and creating difficulties for consumers.
Authorities have directed officials to take action against additional dealers found violating the government’s flour distribution rules. Sources said the identification of such dealers has been completed and a detailed report has been forwarded to the Food Department.
Officials have also been instructed to cancel the quotas of dealers involved in violations and identify new dealers to ensure the uninterrupted distribution of subsidised flour.
Sources attributed the shortage in Peshawar partly to the movement of subsidised flour to other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its alleged diversion across the border into Afghanistan. Sources also claimed that some subsidised flour was being transported by Afghan refugees.
The reported shortage has caused concern among residents, who have complained about difficulties in accessing government-supplied flour despite the ongoing subsidised distribution system.
Citizens have also expressed frustration over what they describe as inadequate monitoring of the distribution network, raising questions about whether the existing mechanism is effectively preventing the diversion and hoarding of subsidised flour.
Questions have also been raised over the role of the district administration in ensuring that subsidised flour remains available to consumers in Peshawar and is distributed according to the government’s prescribed system.
Authorities are expected to take further measures to improve monitoring, address supply gaps and take action against dealers found violating distribution rules.
The administration has also been urged to ensure that government-subsidised flour reaches consumers without disruption and that the distribution system remains transparent and effective.
