Fears of a wheat and flour crisis have emerged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prompting the provincial government to take urgent action.
According to reports, the KP government has written a letter to the federal government seeking an uninterrupted supply of wheat and warning that restrictions on the transportation of wheat and flour from Punjab could trigger a serious crisis in the province.
In the letter sent to the federal authorities, the KP government stated that the province produces only 1.6 million metric tons of wheat locally, while its annual requirement stands at 5.3 million metric tons.
Due to the shortage, the price of a 40-kilogram wheat bag has reportedly crossed Rs4,700 in the province.
The letter further claimed that restrictions imposed by Punjab authorities are affecting KP’s strategic wheat reserves. Around 554.800 metric tons of wheat destined for Malakand Dargai were allegedly stopped, disrupting the transportation of 5,548 wheat bags.
The provincial government urged the federation to take immediate notice of the matter, stating that restrictions on wheat transportation violate Article 151 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of trade between provinces.
The letter also requested the federal government to immediately allow the release of the wheat-loaded vehicles stopped in Punjab.
Officials added that the KP government has already approved the purchase of 225,000 metric tons of wheat and asked the federation to ensure an uninterrupted wheat supply from Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO).
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SPI climbs as chicken, diesel and flour lead increases
Pakistan’s short-term inflation recorded another rise in the latest weekly data, with the Sensitive Price Indicator showing an increase of 0.79 per cent for the week ending May 07, 2026, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The Sensitive Price Indicator tracks the movement of 51 essential commodities across 50 markets in 17 cities. It is updated weekly and is closely watched as a quick measure of inflation trends, helping assess changes in essential living costs in near real time.
The latest figures show that pressure mainly came from food items and fuel costs, which continued to affect household budgets.
Chicken prices saw the sharpest jump during the week, rising by 12.82 per cent. Diesel went up by 5.10 per cent, while wheat flour increased by 3.42 per cent. Petrol also moved higher by 1.66 per cent.
Other items that became costlier included fresh milk, curd, beef, mutton, tea, potatoes, washing soap and cigarettes, though most of these rose at a slower pace.
Some relief in vegetable prices
Not all items moved upward. Prices of tomatoes dropped by 7.08 per cent, offering some relief in kitchen costs. Garlic, eggs, LPG, pulses, onions, rice and gur also saw small declines over the week.
Out of 51 monitored items, 22 became more expensive, 14 became cheaper, while 15 remained unchanged. This shows a mixed trend in weekly inflation pressures.
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