The Sindh Government has decided to take strict action against hoarders and those involved in the illegal storage of wheat across the province. This decision was taken in a high-level meeting co-chaired by Sindh Minister for Food, Makhdoom Mehboobuz Zaman, and the Chief Secretary, Asif Hyder Shah, on Thursday. The meeting also reviewed the wheat stock position and flour prices across the province and devised a coordinated strategy against hoarding, illegal storage, and artificial price hikes.
Flour Mills and Licensed Traders
The meeting was briefed that there are 290 flour mills and 1,033 licensed wheat traders operating in the province. It was decided that, in accordance with the decision of the Sindh Cabinet, strict action would be initiated against hoarders and those involved in the illegal storage of wheat. It was further decided that any wheat found to have been illegally hoarded would be confiscated at the price already notified.
Directives to Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners
Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, directed all Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Food Department officials to immediately initiate coordinated action against wheat hoarding in their respective jurisdictions. He instructed the divisional and district administrations to prepare and implement an effective strategy in consultation with the Food Department so that hoarding, illegal storage, and artificial shortage of wheat could be prevented.
Chief Secretary's Statement
The Chief Secretary said that the provincial government was taking all possible steps to ensure the provision of wheat and flour to the people at fixed rates. He said that the district administrations and the Food Department were actively monitoring the wheat stock and flour prices. He also directed strict action against those creating artificial shortages.
Food Minister's Remarks
Provincial Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman said that the purpose of the action was not to create hardship for flour mills, chakkis, or licensed traders, but to prevent hoarding and protect the public from artificial price increases. He directed that this process must be given top priority and completed in accordance with the law.
Meeting Attendees
The meeting was attended by the Secretary Food, all Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners of the province, and field officers of the Food Department.
