Shams warns millers against flour smuggling to Afghanistan

PESHAWAR: Caretaker Chief Minister Shamsul Mulk while taking strong note of smuggling of Flour to Afghanistan on the pretext of its supply to FATA has cautioned the owners of flourmills not to consider FATA as Afghanistan and refrain from ignoring domestic problems in this regard.

He was presiding over a meeting here on Monday convened to discuss ways and means to deal with the present Atta crisis.

Minister for Food Alamzeb Khan, chief secretary, secretary home, secretary food, DCO and flour mills owners attended the meeting.

The chief minister during the meeting talked to the caretaker chief minister Punjab on phone about certain problems and difficulties in the smooth supply of atta from Punjab to the Frontier province and in response, the chief minister Punjab assured him of removing hindrances in its supply.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that his government was doing no injustices to flour mills owners at any level, however, being accountable to the people, it had to take some strict measures in the public interest.

He said that previously the flour mills were being provided 1500 tons wheat per day which was raised by the caretaker government to 3000 tons on daily basis followed by another increase of 1000 tons wheat per day. However, despite the increase in quota, artificial atta crisis was created for which consequently the provincial government had to cancel the quota of flour mills in order to control smuggling and hoarding.

The chief minister rejected the rumors with reference to ban on wheat and atta supply. He said that the government would restore quota to flour mills provided they refrain from smuggling and hoarding.

The meeting was told that the Frontier Constabulary would take control of flour mills in the province and movement of atta shortly which would help control the present crisis. The chief minister warned that the elements complicating the issue of atta would be dealt with sternly.

He urged the need for a coordinated strategy between administration and flour mills owners to deal with the affairs of flour mills association and the present atta crisis.