The flour mills in the province of Punjab are set to suspend operations after the Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) announced a strike across the region.
The association says the move is in protest against what it describes as “anti-industry” policies by the provincial authorities.
PFMA has objected to the suspension of wheat and flour quota permits, the sealing of mills and fines of up to Rs5 million over what it says are minor violations.
The association also alleges that officials in the food department have demanded payments for permits needed to transport wheat and flour.
PFMA chairman Riazullah Khan said millers were being asked to pay between Rs100,000 and Rs150,000 for each permit, despite the provincial government’s introduction of an online system for generating permits.
The association has said it plans to approach the Anti-Corruption Establishment over the alleged payments.
The latest dispute follows earlier tensions over the movement of wheat and the issuance of permits.
The association has also criticised the appointment of a Grade-15 employee as a District Food Controller and called for a senior official to be appointed instead.
The millers say restrictions on the movement of wheat and flour are increasing transportation difficulties and could eventually put upward pressure on prices.
However, the reported impact on flour availability and prices will depend on how long the mills remain closed and whether the dispute is resolved.
A prolonged shutdown could disrupt supplies because flour mills are an important link between wheat supplies and the retail market.
At this stage, however, reports of an imminent province-wide flour shortage should be treated as a potential consequence of the strike rather than an established shortage.
