Today: 7 October 2025
14 July 2024
1 min read

Pakistan reverses flour export policy amid protests

The local wheat price saw a dramatic decline during the caretaker government’s tenure, primarily due to imports by the private sector, including wheat flour millers…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan’s government, led by Shehbaz Sharif, revoked its March order on Friday, banning the export of flour made from imported wheat amid a nationwide strike by millers, Pakistan-based daily, Dawn reported.

The ban came after the farmers protested against wheat imports despite the high crop produce in the country, Dawn reported.

The Pakistan Ministry of Commerce issued two notifications that withdrew the March 29 order that allowed millers to export flour made from imported wheat. However, no data on the export of such flour was available on the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) website. Export of wheat and its byproducts from locally produced wheat is already banned, Dawn reported.

The local wheat price saw a dramatic decline during the caretaker government’s tenure, primarily due to imports by the private sector, including wheat flour millers.

Out of 65 total wheat importers, 17 were flour mills that also imported wheat. The government had previously formed a committee to investigate the issue, but it took two months to impose a ban on wheat imports, which was officially notified on Friday.

On Thursday, the All-Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) went on strike as a mark of protest on Thursday against the new withholding tax.

Flour dealers and owners of atta chakkis (small wheat grinding units joined the protest, causing disturbances in the supply flow of flour.

Chairperson of PFMA, Asim Raza said that the measure has made flour mills withholding agents for tax collection. He said the tax is expected to increase flour prices by Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 8 per kg.

Raza said that he would continue the strike until the demands are met and the strike would adversely affect the supply chain.

“The tax measure is unacceptable and impracticable as flour dealers are refusing to lift their consignments instead of sharing their tax details for withholding tax purposes,” he said. (ANI)

ALSO READ-‘Pakistan in CPEC Debt Trap, China Holds the Key’

Previous Story

Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi acquitted in unlawful marriage case

Next Story

INDIA bloc wins 10 seats, BJP gets two in assembly bypolls

Latest from -Top News

OCTOBER 7: Stop the Violence Now, Says Guterres

Guterres recalled that “the attackers brutally killed more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals….reports Asian Lite News UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza, Israel, and

Piyush Goyal Heads to Doha for Trade Talks

During the visit, both sides are expected to discuss the proposed India–Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA)….reports Asian Lite News Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Doha, Qatar, on

Hamas Heads to Egypt for Gaza Talks

The negotiation will focus on the details of enacting the first phase of the plan…reports Asian Lite News A delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas arrived in Egypt on Sunday ahead of

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with
Go toTop