Flour prices increasing as Sindh government not releasing wheat: Shibli Faraz

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Minister for Information Shibli Faraz has said that the price of a 20kg flour bag has reached Rs 1,600 from Rs 1,400 in Sindh. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, he said that the Sindh government is not releasing wheat and as a result, the flour prices are increasing. "Flour from Punjab will be sent to Sindh if there will be a huge difference in prices," he said. The minister said that the federal government is devising a mechanism for the flour price across the country. "A ship of wheat will reach Karachi on August 24, which will reduce a gap of 1.5-2 million tons," he maintained. He said that the objective of sugar import is to break the backbone of profiteers and provide a relief to the masses. "The Punjab government is giving a subsidy of Rs six billion to utility stores each month and the rich and the poor are getting benefit of the subsidy," he added. Shibli Faraz said that the increase in the sugar prices after the Sugar Commission report was aimed at pressurizing the government. "Under instructions from Prime Minister Imran Khan, the miller delaying the crushing will be fined Rs five million daily. After imposing fines, we will control the sugar prices," he maintained. He said that the coronavirus has been controlled to a large extent. "The government is facing the challenge of price-hike," he added.