Flour prices surge in Lahore as residents decry government inaction
A sharp increase in flour prices has exacerbated financial strain on households in the provincial capital, with citizens and traders accusing the government of failing to enforce effective price controls amid growing supply concerns.
Residents report that a 10-kilogram bag of flour, which was available for approximately 900 rupees just days ago, is now being sold for as high as 1,400 rupees. Similarly, a 20-kilogram bag that previously cost around 1,800 rupees has surged to between 2,400 and 2,450 rupees in various parts of the city. The price hikes come as official data shows that flour prices in Lahore increased by 850 rupees per 20-kilogram bag over the past year, rising from 1,400 rupees to 2,250 rupees .
The price volatility has caused significant hardship for low-income households, with many struggling to afford the staple commodity. "Sir, they have made flour expensive and have also shut down flour shops. At many places, flour is not available in shops," said Muhammad Asif, a Lahore resident. "I go daily to buy 5 kilograms of flour. After three or four days, I buy 20 kilograms. I went to the shopkeeper three times, and only on the fourth visit did he give me flour. For three or four days, we had to eat tandoor bread."
Flour millers and dealers attribute the price surge to reduced wheat availability in the open market, citing government restrictions on private wheat stocks . The widening gap between official price caps and actual market rates has also drawn criticism from industry representatives, who argue that government-fixed rates do not reflect the sharp increase in wheat production costs . The situation has been compounded by an annual food inflation rate that reached 7.9 percent in May, with low-income groups being hit the hardest .
Citizens have called on authorities to intervene urgently. "The government is making an unjust increase in flour prices. What is the government doing in this regard? They should take action," said Muhammad Waqar, a private sector sales employee. "The government should control this." The government's price control mechanism has faced mounting criticism as market rates continue to diverge from official notifications.