With the wheat and flour prices showing an upward trend during the past couple of days, the provincial government on Saturday imposed a ban on the movement of wheat for a period of one month. The Sindh Food Department had reported to the Home Department that the increase in prices, especially before the holy month of Ramadan, was alarming and may create unrest among the citizens. It was further reported that the Food Department had fixed a revised target of 1.50 million metric tonnes (to be further enhanced up to 1.7 million metric tonnes) wheat for the current season 2011 and a quantity of 1.4 million metric tonnes wheat was procured up to June 29. The wheat procurement had almost stopped due to the price hike in the open market and reports regarding illegal hoarding of wheat are also pouring in from various quarters as the wheat is being hoarded to get more and more monitory benefits.
In order to ensure availability of flour to the general public at reasonable rates and to regulate the supplies of wheat in the market, the Sindh government under Section 144 CrPC has imposed the ban on the inter-district and across the borders movement of wheat for a period of 30 days with immediate effect. In pursuance of Section 195(1)(a) CrPC, the SHOs of police stations concerned have been authorised to register complaints under Section 188 PPC for the violation of Section 144 CrPC against the violators of the ban.. However, the wheat stocks being transported on account of flour mills and for export purpose are allowed through on furnishing proper, valid documentation.
