RAWALPINDI: Most tandoors remained closed on Sunday, marking the fifth consecutive day of the Nanbais’ strike, as the All Pakistan Nanbai Association announced that the protest would continue until their demands were met.
On Sunday morning, bakers briefly opened their shops but shut them down again after claiming that the district administration had launched a crackdown and arrested three office-bearers.
Due to the closure of tandoors, residents faced difficulties in buying roti and naan. On weekends, many people rely on tandoors for breakfast and other meals, but the ongoing strike disrupted their routine.
Some tandoors attached to local hotels and restaurants remained open but charged more than the official rates, while price magistrates reportedly turned a blind eye to the violations.
Shafiq Qureshi, president of the All Pakistan Nanbai Association, told Dawn that they had ended the strike and reopened tandoors in the morning, but three office-bearers were arrested from Chungi No 22, Ratta Amral and Khyaban Sir Syed. “In protest, we closed the tandoors again,” he said.
He demanded that the district administration end the crackdown, address low gas pressure, stop the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) from checking tandoors and ensure a smooth supply of wheat flour at old rates.
He said the price of wheat flour had increased from Rs5,000 to Rs11,000 per sack over the past few months, and demanded that flour and maida (finely milled) be provided at official rates. “The district administration is forcing tandoor owners to sell roti at Rs14, which is not possible as the production cost has increased manifold,” he said.
Mr Qureshi warned that the strike would continue if the crackdown was not stopped. He added that there were no such issues in other districts, but the Rawalpindi administration was creating problems for tandoor owners by imposing fines in the name of overcharging and other violations.
Additional Deputy Commissioner General Dr Hassaan Tariq said the district administration would not tolerate overcharging and a crackdown had been launched in this regard.
“The official rate of roti at Rs14 will be enforced at any cost, and no negligence will be tolerated. Those involved in overcharging will face the music,” he said.
He added that the administration was already facilitating tandoor owners by providing wheat flour at official rates directly from the mills, and that their allegations were baseless.
Mr Hassaan said the district administration, with the help of Pera, was ensuring implementation of the official price list of edibles, which had been prepared in consultation with traders’ representatives.
On the other hand, residents urged the government to ensure the availability of roti and naan at reasonable rates and to end overcharging. They said the strike should be called off as low gas pressure in residential areas left them with no choice but to buy roti and naan from tandoors.
“The tandoors attached to restaurants and hotels are charging higher prices, but the administration is not taking any action. I bought naan for Rs30 on Murree Road near the 6th Road Flyover, as the Quetta hotel owner said the price had increased from Rs25 to Rs30,” said Muhammad Ibrar, a resident.
Muhammad Jameel, a resident of Arya Mohallah, said most tandoors remained closed on Sunday, and those that opened charged higher prices for naan.
Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2025
