The Punjab government has banned the sale of 20kg flour bags across the province, allowing only 10kg packs in the market. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif took the decision at a high-level meeting to tighten control over wheat and flour supplies and curb smuggling.
The chief minister chaired the meeting through video link on Friday, attended by commissioners and deputy commissioners from across Punjab. Officials reviewed price fluctuations of essential commodities, wheat cultivation targets and measures to keep supplies stable.
Punjab bans 20kg flour bags to stop smuggling
Under the new decision, 20kg flour bags will be withdrawn from shops and markets, and 10kg bags will become the standard pack size. The government believes smaller packs are harder to divert and easier to track, which should choke off the illegal movement of wheat and flour.
Maryam Nawaz ordered strict monitoring of inter-provincial borders to prevent the unauthorised transportation of wheat and flour. She directed all deputy commissioners to ensure their districts meet the prescribed wheat sowing targets and to bring all government-owned land under wheat cultivation.
Land covered under the Numberdar system, the Ghori Pal scheme and the Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar initiative will also be used for wheat farming under the new instructions.
Move comes as flour prices climb
The ban lands at a sensitive moment for household budgets. A 20kg flour bag in Lahore jumped by Rs833 in a single week to Rs3,133, as reported in Flour price in Lahore jumps Rs833 in a week. Flour was also among the items pushing weekly inflation to 11.85 per cent, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, as covered in Weekly inflation climbs to 11.85pc.
The government has meanwhile set the wheat indicative price at Rs4,500 per maund for 2027, Rs1,000 higher than last year, in a bid to encourage sowing. Read more in PM sets wheat price 2027 at Rs4,500 per maund.
Officials told the meeting that prices of 15 essential commodities, including pulses and vegetables, had remained stable, while 10 items were on a declining trend. The chief minister was also briefed on the Qeemat App, which is being upgraded to monitor and stabilise food prices.
Ramadan preparations and new initiatives
Looking ahead to Ramadan, Maryam Nawaz directed district administrations to ensure sufficient supplies of bananas, apples and dates at controlled prices. Every deputy commissioner will arrange stocks according to local demand and available cold storage capacity.
The meeting approved a new initiative titled “Transforming Market Waste into Wealth” to put market waste to productive use. A dehydration project under PAMRA also received approval to improve the supply of fruits and vegetables outside their usual seasons.
The chief minister further directed officials to speed up construction of Punjab’s first Mandi Mart for fruit and vegetable trading in Kahna, with similar facilities planned for other parts of the province.
Frequently asked questions
Why has Punjab banned 20kg flour bags?
The Punjab government says withdrawing 20kg bags and selling only 10kg packs will improve tracking of flour movement and curb the smuggling of wheat and flour across provincial borders.
When does the 20kg flour bag ban take effect?
The decision was taken at the chief minister’s meeting on October 23, 2026. Officials have not yet announced the exact date from which 20kg bags will disappear from shops.
What else was decided at the meeting?
Deputy commissioners must meet wheat sowing targets, cultivate all government land, tighten border checks, prepare Ramadan fruit supplies at controlled prices, and upgrade the Qeemat App for price monitoring.
How much does a 20kg flour bag cost in Lahore now?
A 20kg bag in Lahore recently jumped by Rs833 in one week to Rs3,133, reflecting the pressure on household food budgets that the new measures aim to address.
