Pakistan Faces Flour Shortage as Flour Mills Go on Strike Over New Tax

Pakistan’s urban population is experiencing a flour shortage due to a strike by the All-Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA). The strike began as a protest against a new withholding tax, which PFMA Chairperson Asim Raza says will increase flour prices by PKR 8 per kg.

Flour dealers and owners of small wheat grinding units joined the protest, causing disruptions in the flour supply chain. Raza stated that the tax measure is impractical and unacceptable, and the strike will continue until their demands are met.

PFMA’s Punjab chapter chairman, Iftikhar Ahmed Mattoo, mentioned that the industry continued to supply flour until July 10 despite the tax burden. However, it is no longer feasible for them to bear the tax, leading to the strike. Aamir Abdullah, PFMA’s chairman for Sindh, confirmed the indefinite strike, which has also affected the bran supply for livestock.