Flour prices in Karachi reached Rs 166 per kilogram due to the widening gap between official and market prices, which has raised fears of a supply crisis in the megacit.
The Karachi commissioner has issued a notification fixing the official retail price of regular flour at Rs125 per kilogram, fine flour at Rs135 per kilogram, and chakki flour at Rs145 per kilogram.
However, flour millers and chakki owners have rejected the rates as economically unviable, arguing that soaring wheat prices have pushed production costs well above the government’s prescribed prices.
According to the notification, the wholesale price of regular flour has been fixed at Rs122 per kilogram and fine flour at Rs132 per kilogram, while chakki flour has been capped at Rs145 per kilogram.
Despite the official rates, market prices remain significantly higher. Regular flour is currently selling between Rs145 and Rs150 per kilogram, fine flour between Rs160 and Rs170 per kilogram, while chakki flour is being sold at around Rs160 per kilogram across the city.
Flour Mills Association Chairman Mohammad Anis warned the Sindh Food Department that mills could not purchase wheat at prevailing market rates and sell flour at government-fixed prices. He said wheat in the open market had climbed to Rs116 per kilogram and prices continued to fluctuate daily, making the notified rates unsustainable.
Rs 1.2m fine imposed over violation of four price, two premises sealed
Karachi administration in compliance with the directives of the Sindh Government has intensified its district-wide enforcement campaign to ensure the availability of wheat flour at government-notified rates and to take strict action against profiteering, overcharging, hoarding and other violations.
According to the consolidated enforcement report inspection teams carried out 673 visits to flour mills, atta chakkis, wholesalers, retailers and other flour sale points across all seven districts of Karachi. The inspections resulted in the detection of 143 violations, while fines amounting to Rs1,205,000 were imposed on businesses found violating notified flour prices and other applicable regulations.
A total of 144 establishments were issued warnings, while two premises were sealed for serious violations. Penalties were also imposed on retailers selling wheat flour above the notified prices, while certain flour businesses (atta chakkis) were directed to obtain the required licences from the Food Department.
According to the district-wise report, the highest number of inspections was conducted in District Korangi, where teams carried out 202 visits, detected 27 violations, imposed fines amounting to Rs364,000, issued 54 warnings and sealed one establishment. In District South, the administration conducted 135 inspections, detected 46 violations, imposed fines of Rs354,000 and issued 14 warnings. In District East, inspection teams conducted 103 visits, detected 21 violations, imposed fines amounting to Rs165,000 and issued 16 warnings. In District Central, the administration conducted 81 inspections, detected 21 violations, imposed fines of Rs159,000, issued 39 warnings and sealed one establishment. In District Keamari, teams conducted 52 inspections, detected 21 violations, imposed fines amounting to Rs154,000 and issued 11 warnings. In District West, inspection teams carried out 75 visits, detected seven violations, imposed fines of Rs9,000 and issued eight warnings. In District Malir, the administration conducted 25 inspections.
The Sindh Government has directed the district administration to maintain strict surveillance of flour mills, atta chakkis, wholesalers and retailers and to ensure that the benefit of officially notified prices reaches consumers. The district administrations have further been instructed to conduct regular inspections, verify wheat and flour stocks and business licences, ensure the prominent display of notified price lists, and initiate immediate legal action against businesses involved in overcharging, artificial scarcity, illegal storage or non-compliance with government directives.