Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid gave an unusual response when asked about the prevalent flour crisis on Saturday, saying that the staple food is being sold at exorbitant rates across Pakistan as people "eat more bread in November and December".
When the reporters laughed at the minister's strange explanation he said: “It’s not a joke, a study backs my claims.”
Rashid also admitted that the prices of wheat, electricity, and gas had surged in the country. Defending it, the minister said, “People should give a year and a half more to the Imran Khan-led government.”
Flour prices have skyrocketed across the country in recent days, selling for as high as Rs62 per kilogram at several retail stores.
The price of the flour has increased by five rupees in just the last week due to a shortage of wheat supply. “Fine flour is available for Rs62/kg while the price of mill flour increased by five to six rupees and is being sold between Rs 62/kg to Rs70/kg,” the president of the flour retailers association told Geo News.
In Karachi, a sack of flour is being sold for Rs500.
In some parts of the city, a bag of 10kg flour which cost Rs450 before the crisis is now being sold for Rs700 after an increase of Rs250.
In Lahore, the Punjab Flour Mill Association increased the price of flour by Rs6 per kg, after which it is now being sold at Rs70 per kg across the province.
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