YEARS come and go and the same is the case with regimes, but the people’s problems have been tormenting them since long. The major problem people are facing these days is the shortage of flour. Flour is a must-have commodity and its consumption has increased manifold.

The main reason behind the non-availability of the flour is that some private mill-owners hire shops on a short-term agreement for selling their particular brand of flour. When the shortage of flour arises, these mill-owners’ representatives close their shops and find a secret place to sell flour from in order to earn huge profits. The purpose behind doing so is that the government has advised the shop-owners not to sell more than one bag of flour to each individual. Some shopkeepers sell 50 or more bags of flour to restaurant-owners at high prices and earn huge profits.

People wander around haplessly checking shops in search of flour only to return empty-handed. Adulterated flour is also available in the market, but people refrain from buying it for obvious reasons. There are no proper checks and balances in place and these hoarders are being given opportunities to earn huge profits at the expense of the common folk.

Flour, being the staple that it is, should be available easily. From small businesses to restaurants and every other household, almost everyone gets affected by its shortage.

The government is yet to act on its promise of providing relief to the poor by rooting out corruption from society. People have been pushed below the poverty line and many now suffer from mental issues, like anxiety and depression, due to high inflation. The authorities concerned should set things right in order to serve the common man.

Hamza Malick
Raiwind

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2021