Wheat price spike: Rs2,500 more for a single bag
HYDERABAD: The wheat price spike has drawn a sharp rebuke from the city’s trade and industry community, which says the government has failed to control inflation and protect consumers from rising food costs.
Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry (HSATI) Chairman Zubair Ahmed Ghanghra criticised an increase of Rs2,500 in the price of a wheat bag. He said the rise in wheat and flour prices had placed an additional burden on low- and middle-income households already struggling to meet basic needs amid persistent inflation.
Ghanghra urged the government to take immediate measures to stabilise prices and ensure essential food items remained affordable. The warning comes as provincial governments roll out food support schemes, including a Rs10 billion flour subsidy in Punjab.
Traders blame the procurement halt
Ghanghra stated that the government had previously purchased wheat from farmers under provincial budget allocations. That policy, he said, helped maintain price stability and provided relief to consumers.
However, the government’s decision to stop wheat procurement contributed to price increases and intensified difficulties for the public. Without the state’s buying programme acting as a buffer, market prices climbed and the pain travelled straight to the household kitchen.
IMF conditions in the firing line
The HSATI chairman also questioned the impact of International Monetary Fund conditions on government policies, a sticking point in Pakistan’s wider economic programme. He argued that the authorities should prioritise food affordability while negotiating with the lender.
Ghanghra criticised what he described as inconsistent scrutiny of government spending and public relief measures. He asked why increases in the salaries and benefits of lawmakers and ministers, along with purchases of new vehicles and government aircraft, did not attract the same level of concern that measures to reduce food prices faced.
The disparity, he said, reflected an unfair burden on ordinary citizens, who continued to absorb higher living costs without corresponding increases in their incomes. He urged the government to raise the issue of food affordability during negotiations with the IMF and take effective measures to shield essential commodities from inflationary pressures.
Demand for action against hoarding
Ghanghra also called on the authorities to investigate the reasons behind the increase in wheat and flour prices and take strict action against hoarding and profiteering. He said stronger market monitoring and enforcement could help prevent traders from exploiting supply conditions to charge excessive prices.
The HSATI chairman warned that persistent increases in the prices of essential goods, without a corresponding rise in household incomes, continued to erode purchasing power and deepen financial pressures on ordinary families.
He said the government must move beyond assurances and introduce practical measures to keep wheat, flour and other staple food within the reach of consumers. People needed tangible relief rather than promises as rising food costs continued to strain household budgets.
FAQ
How much has the wheat price risen?
According to Hyderabad trade body HSATI, the price of a wheat bag has increased by Rs2,500, raising the cost of wheat and flour for households.
Who raised the alarm over the wheat price spike?
Zubair Ahmed Ghanghra, chairman of the Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry, who criticised the government for failing to control inflation.
Why did wheat prices rise, according to traders?
Traders blame the government’s decision to stop wheat procurement from farmers, which removed the price buffer that had earlier kept the market stable.
What action do traders want?
An investigation into the price rise, strict action against hoarding and profiteering, stronger market monitoring, and making food affordability a priority in IMF negotiations.
