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Flour mills facing closure in twin cities
ISLAMABAD (April 30
2004): Flour mills in Islamabad/Rawalpindi region
are facing closure from Friday as government wheat
issue for them is ending-up from April 30, and
they do not have alternative source of open sector
of supply due to Punjab government's ban on
commodity movement.
Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) Secretary
General Sanaullah told Business Recorder on
Thursday that Punjab government's decision would
hit Rawalpindi/Islamabad millers below the belt
since they would have gone out of supply source
from April 30.
According to him, provincial food department halts
wheat issue to the mills in the province from
April 30, every year on the pretext that commodity
becomes available to the millers from the open
market at competitive rates till August.
Government food department resume wheat issue to
the mills from September which continues for
another six to seven months when fresh crop again
becomes available to the millers.
But this time millers are facing totally different
situation due to an unexpected move of the Punjab
government to ban wheat movement.
Sanaullah said, "As PFMA Secretary General, I have
brought the matter into the notice of the
provincial authorities and demanded quick decision
to save the millers and subsequently the people of
Rawalpindi/Islamabad region from serious flour
crisis.
Rawalpindi/Islamabad region falls in the category
of deficit area and it depends on other areas to
meet flour needs of the people. Gujranwala,
Sargodha and Faisalabad regions are the best
choice of Rawalpindi/Islamabad millers for
purchase of wheat.
PFMA's letter addressed to the Punjab Food
Department said that the government wheat issue
for Rawalpindi/Islamabad region shall come to an
end from April.
Afterwards, it added, the mills in the region
shall have no other option but to close down for
non-availability of wheat since wheat supply has
been cut off on account of ban on commodity
movement.
PFMA Secretary General wants some workable system
to ensure restoration of supply for Rawalpindi/Islamabad
region equivalent to 24 hours capacity on daily
and advance basis from Gujranwala, Sargodha and
Faisalabad regions.
The letter cautioned of serious crisis of flour (Atta)
in Islamabad/Rawalpindi region in case PFMA's call
goes unnoticed.
Courtesy Business Recorder
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Pakissan.com; Advisory Point
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