PFMA voices concern over wheat policy

LAHORE: Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) has termed the Punjab government's claim regarding the price of wheat completely contrary to the ground realities, expressing serious reservations about official policy.

PFMA Central Chairman Badruddin Kakar said in a statement on Tuesday that the recent steps taken by the Punjab government will have an impact on farmers and the flour milling industry across the country. ‘Despite the abundant wheat crop last year and the announcement of the support price of wheat, the Punjab Food Department did not purchase wheat. The flour milling industry purchased wheat at high prices to protect farmers from exploitation. It obtained loans from banks for the purchase. Interest was paid and expenses of preserving the wheat were borne. But the Punjab government, using its unilateral powers, fixed the wheat selling prices which are clearly against the principles of the open market,’ he said.