Rawalpindi: Naanbais went on a shutter down strike here on Thursday for an indefinite period demanding the release of all detained naanbais and a further cut in flour prices.
Over 5,000 tandoors in Rawalpindi went on shutter strike for an indefinite period demanding immediate release of all arrested naanbais including Muttahida Naanbais Welfare Association (MNWA) President Muhammad Shafiq Qureshi from Adiala Jail. They also demanded that the local administration allow them to sell a roti at Rs20 and a naan at Rs25. On the other hand, flourmills have reduced ‘Atta’ prices by Rs400 on a 20-kilogram ‘Atta’ bag.
Rawalpindi-Islamabad Flourmills Association Vice-Chairman Khawaja Imran told ‘The News’ that they have reduced the price of a 20-kilogram ‘atta’ bag by Rs400 from Rs2600 to Rs2200. A 20-kilogram ‘Atta’ bag was easily available at Rs2200 from retail shops, he claimed. He also said that ‘atta’ prices will further be reduced in the coming days with the arrival of new crops.
The hotel owners were taking full advantage of the present situation and selling a ‘roti’ at Rs20 and a ‘naan’ at Rs30. People have demanded of the local administration, Rawalpindi to take strict action against hoteliers for looting public with both hands.
Muttahida Naanbais Welfare Association (MNWA) General Secretary Khurshid Qureshi said that over 5,000 tandoors remained shut closed here in Rawalpindi. “We will not open tandoors till the acceptance of our demands. The local administration, Rawalpindi was forcefully implementing the new rate of roti and naan. We will not sell roti and naan at reduced prices,” he claimed.
He also demanded the release of all arrested naanbais from jail immediately. Condemning the ongoing crackdown against the tandoor shops in Punjab, the naanbai Association demanded the government to fix the price of 20kg flour bags to Rs1600 to sell the roti at Rs16.