22 July 2004	Thursday	04 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

PESHAWAR, July 21: The supply of wheat from Punjab to other provinces is yet to commence as Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain's directives about lifting of a ban on the commodity's inter-provincial movement have not been implemented, say officials and businessmen.

Wheat transportation outside Punjab has not yet commenced as the Punjab government has not yet issued notification to this effect, says Naeem Butt, chairman of the NWFP chapter of the Pakistan Four Mills Association (PFMA).

During the July 16 meeting with PFMA representatives, the prime minister had directed the Punjab government to lift the ban on wheat movement. "We are optimistic that the announcement made by the prime minister will materialize soon," NWFP Minister for Food Fazle Rabbani said.

Continuation of the ban was a cause of concern for the business community, especially for those maintain wheat stocks in Punjab after having made purchases during the last few weeks.

The provincial food minister said that several of the owners of flour mills in NWFP were maintaining wheat stocks in Punjab and any delay in the lifting of ban would make things more difficult for them.

"Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, being the head of a national level political party [unified PML], would make sure that his instructions are implemented in letter and spirit," the provincial food minister said.

The chairman of the Pakistan Four Mills Association, NWFP, said that he had contacted secretary of the federal ministry of food, agriculture and livestock (Minfal) on Monday to inquire about the lifting of the ban.

"The secretary Minfal said that Punjab would issue the required the notification within the next couple of days following which transportation of wheat would start," said Mr Butt. The food minister expressed the hope that it would result in stability for the business circles besides helping reduce the wheat price in the NWFP.

The chairman Pakistan Four Mills Association, NWFP, said that the lifting of the ban would enable thousands of flour mill employees to get their jobs back. Restrictions on wheat transportation resulted in halting milling operations in most of the mills situated in the Frontier rendering thousands of daily wage earners jobless.