Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has instructed a reduction in roti prices across the province, following a decline in flour rates.
“The chief minister said the roti price will be brought down to a historic low, and the reduction in flour prices must directly benefit the poor.”
At present, roti is being sold at Rs14 apiece, but this rate is set to be revised in line with the drop in flour costs. Maryam Nawaz has ordered that new prices be fixed accordingly and tasked the Price Control Department with ensuring immediate implementation.
In addition, she has emphasized the need for tighter oversight on the pricing of essential food items such as chicken, vegetables, and pulses.
The chief minister noted that for many low-income families, even eating chicken once a week is becoming difficult, adding that rising prices could soon make it completely unaffordable. She firmly stated that she will not accept such a situation.
Separately, the Punjab government recently launched a historic relief initiative for wheat farmers across the province.
Under the ‘Wheat Farmer Support Program,’ Maryam Nawaz has allocated Rs110 billion for wheat growers, the largest such package in Punjab’s history. A key component of this plan includes a Rs25 billion relief measure, offering farmers Rs5,000 per acre for up to five acres, totaling Rs25,000.
She has also ordered amendments to ensure flour mills purchase at least 25 percent of their wheat locally. Alongside this, she approved the new ‘Electronic Warehouse Housing Reset’ policy, which has already been notified.
The provincial agriculture minister has been assigned to oversee the wheat procurement campaign, with the Price Control Department supporting enforcement.
To further aid the initiative, she has instructed the Bank of Punjab to create a Rs100 billion credit line to support farmers and streamline the process.