LAHORE, July 10: Punjab Food Minister Mohammad Iqbal has reiterated the provincial government stand that the ban on wheat movement is temporary.

Talking to newsmen on Thursday, he said provision of flour and other wheat products from Punjab to other provinces was continuing as per routine.

He said the ban was meant to evaluate stocks in godowns and hoped that the inspection process would be over within the next few days.

Iqbal said that it had also come to the notice of the government that many hoarders and profiteers from other provinces had acquired large quantities of wheat during wheat procurement from Punjab. He said the governments of other provinces ought to keep a vigilant eye on such illegal profiteers and hoarders, besides taking effective steps for the elimination of wheat smuggling to avert wheat shortage.

To a question, the minister said the Punjab government would immediately lift the ban after the completion of inspection of wheat godowns and after suitable steps were taken by other provinces for the eradication of wheat smuggling.