Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah and Provincial Minister for Food Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman co-chaired a high-level meeting to review the wheat stock position and flour prices across the province and devise a coordinated strategy to curb hoarding, illegal storage and artificial price hikes.
According to an official information today, the meeting was attended by the Secretary Food, all divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners from across the province, and field officers of the Food Department. The participants reviewed the prevailing wheat and flour situation in Sindh and were informed that 290 flour mills and 1,033 licensed wheat traders were operating in the province.
The meeting decided that, in line with the Sindh Cabinet’s decision, strict action would be initiated against hoarders and those involved in the illegal storage of wheat. It was further decided that any wheat found to have been illegally hoarded would be confiscated at the government-notified price. Any stock exceeding the prescribed limit would be treated as hoarded stock and would be liable to confiscation at the notified price. The meeting also decided that any person, firm or entity, other than registered flour mills, chakkis and licensed wheat traders, found unlawfully possessing wheat stocks would face legal action under the relevant laws. Such wheat stocks would also be confiscated at the government-notified price. Chief
Shah directed all commissioners, deputy commissioners and Food Department officials to immediately launch coordinated operations against wheat hoarding within their respective jurisdictions. He instructed the divisional and district administrations to prepare and implement an effective strategy in consultation with the Food Department to prevent hoarding, illegal storage and the creation of an artificial wheat shortage.
The Chief Secretary said that the government did not intend to create panic or disrupt legitimate business activities. However, he made it clear that no one would be allowed to create an artificial shortage of wheat or exploit the situation for profiteering. “We do not want to disrupt lawful business activities, but wheat hoarding and the manipulation of flour prices will not be tolerated,” the Chief Secretary said.
Provincial Minister for Food Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman said that the objective of the operation was not to create difficulties for flour mills, chakkis or licensed traders, but to eliminate hoarding and protect the public from artificial price increases. He said he would also hold a separate meeting with flour mill owners to take them into confidence and convey that the government’s action was directed only against hoarders and illegal stockists.
He directed that the operation be treated as a top priority and carried out strictly in accordance with the law. Zaman said that the Food Department, district administrations and field officers must work in close coordination to ensure the uninterrupted availability of wheat and flour in the market at reasonable prices. The meeting directed all commissioners and deputy commissioners to submit regular reports on action taken against hoarding, stock verification, market monitoring and price control.