Ummerkot flour mills reject Rs128 price as wheat hits Rs125, citing Rs140 production costs.

Flour mill owners in Umerkot district have refused to accept a fixed flour price of Rs128 per kilogram imposed by local authorities. They state that their production cost has risen to approximately Rs140 per kilogram because wheat prices in the open market are now as high as Rs125 per kilogram. The millers have submitted written applications to the Mirpurkhas commissioner and the Umerkot deputy commissioner. In their applications they ask for a fresh determination of flour prices, request an end to what they describe as unlawful action by local officials, and seek an inquiry into alleged irregularities by food inspectors. They argue that the government’s policy allows flour mill owners to keep 850 bags of wheat per stone in their mills or warehouses. Despite this, the owners say assistant commissioners have raided flour mills and seized wheat stocks in Umerkot, Kunri, Samaro and Pithoro. The owners describe these actions as unjustified and contrary to applicable policy. The millers call on Sindh Chief Minister, the provincial food secretary, the Mirpurkhas commissioner and other senior authorities to review and revise the flour price in line with prevailing wheat and production costs. They also demand that local administrations stop what they describe as unlawful action against flour mills and that alleged corruption by food inspectors be investigated. The owners warn that continuing enforcement of the Rs128 rate, combined with excessive administrative action, would place the district’s flour‑milling sector under severe financial pressure.