Punjab Approves Rs10bn Subsidy to Curb Rising Flour Prices

News Desk

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a comprehensive Rs 10 billion flour subsidy package to shield citizens from escalating food inflation and curb artificial price spikes across the province.

The emergency measure was announced following reports of market manipulation and unauthorized wheat hoarding in several districts.

Presiding over an urgent high-level video conference with provincial officials and district commissioners, the Chief Minister expressed strong indignation over artificial price hikes in essential commodities.

Under the newly sanctioned relief initiative, subsidized flour will be supplied through specialized market centers and designated distribution points nationwide to ensure immediate relief for lower-income households.

The policy intervention reflects growing administrative concern over rising living costs, which have severely squeezed household budgets in Pakistan’s most populous province.

Economic observers point out that while direct consumer subsidies provide vital short-term respite, rigorous regulatory enforcement and systemic anti-hoarding drives will remain crucial to sustaining market equilibrium.

In line with the directive, district price control magistrates have been ordered to conduct immediate raids against illegal grain stockpilers and strictly enforce government-mandated price caps.

The provincial cabinet is scheduled to review supply chain mechanics weekly to evaluate the operational success of the subsidy drive.