ISLAMABAD: The government has announced to launch a crackdown on those creating artificial wheat shortage in the country.

Minister for National Food Security Khusro Bakhtiar said sufficient wheat stocks were available in the country to fulfill domestic requirements of flour.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, he expressed firm resolve to take strict action against those involved in hoarding, profiteering or creating artificial crisis of the commodity in domestic markets.

Also Read: Pakistani man creates natural straw from wheat stem

The minister said current scenario of wheat and flour emerged due to multiple reasons, including transporters’ strike in Karachi which effected supply in local markets of Sindh and ban on movement of wheat between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to curb its smuggling.

He said both the causes had been dually addressed and supply of grains was restored, which had bridged the demand and supply gap.

“The situation would be smooth in the local markets and wheat prices would also come down in a couple of days,” he said.

Khusro Bakhtiar said a special helpline had been established to monitor the wheat supply in local markets.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Ahmad Khan Buzdar on Monday visited Jaranwala where he conducted raids at the various sale points of flour in the city.

Upon the complaints of local people about shortage of flour stock, the chief minister took an action and suspended officials of provincial food department besides making Assistant Commissioner as OSD.

The Punjab CM said there was adequate stock of flour with the Punjab government and flour was available at all sale points on the official fixed prices.  

He directed the officials concerned to increase number of sale points in the city to ensure provision of flour to the citizen at official rates.

The CM also visited the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Jaranwala and reviewed the facilities being provided to the patients.