ALPURI, Jan 1: The people are facing an increasing shortage of wheat flour and fuel, including diesel, despite reopening of all markets in the Shangla district headquarters and other adjoining areas on Tuesday. The markets remained closed for four days in wake of Ms Bhutto’s assassination on Dec 27.

A huge rush was witnessed in the bazaars as the residents hurried for wheat flour at shops and retail outlets. Scuffles were also witnessed between customers and shopkeepers over the prices of commodity, particularly the flour.

Residents said that some outlets, where the flour was available, sold a 40kg bag of flour for Rs1,100. The angry residents had almost come to blows with the flour dealers, they said.

Besides the worsening flour shortage, transporters also faced problems as the petrol pumps throughout the district, which had remained closed for more than three days, had run out of the supply.

Moreover, none of the petrol pumps had diesel, which forced truckers and motorists to take their vehicles off the road. Long lines of vehicles were seen along the road as the commuters continued their journeys on foot.

—Correspondent