TAXILA: A Large quantity of substandard and rotten flour was supplied to the masses under the Ramazan subsidy scheme in Taxila and Wah.

Officials in the Punjab Food Department in Lahore confirmed that one flour mill was sealed and a heavy fine imposed on the management in this regard.

Consumers said what was meant to provide relief to low-income families during the holy month had instead sparked widespread anger, raising serious questions about monitoring, transparency and accountability.

Residents from various localities reported that flour bags purchased from officially designated Ramazan subsidy stalls were unfit for human consumption. According to consumers, the flour emitted a foul odour, had a dull greyish colour and contained visible impurities.

Residents of Taxila, Wah say flour found in rotten, greyish condition; food dept claims of sealing one mill

Some families claimed that upon opening the bags at home, they discovered stale flour and, in certain cases, insect infestation. The dough prepared from the flour reportedly turned dark and sticky, producing bread with a bitter taste and unpleasant smell.

The locals said that the Ramazan subsidised flour scheme was introduced to ease the burden of inflation on poor families. However, the alleged supply of substandard and rotten flour has overshadowed the initiative, leaving residents of Taxila and Wah demanding accountability and urgent corrective measures to restore public confidence.

Ahsan Talib, a daily wage labourer from Bilal Colony, said he purchased two subsidised flour bags but found them unusable. “When we opened the bag for Sehri, it smelled rotten. The bread tasted strange. We cannot afford to throw it away,” he lamented.

Shabana Bibi, a native of Jameelabad, said, “This is not relief for the poor. We stood for hours in queues and got flour that is not fit even for animals, though.”

Another resident, Razia Begum, a native of Sarai Khola, added, “How can we feed this to our children? If this is a subsidy, then it is an insult to the poor.”

Citizens and social activists have called for immediate laboratory testing of all subsidised flour stocks, public disclosure of the flour mills involved, suspension of responsible officials, and compensation or replacement for affected households.

Local health practitioners confirmed receiving complaints of stomach discomfort and digestive issues from some families after consuming bread made from the subsidised flour.

Medical experts cautioned that spoiled or fungus-affected flour could lead to gastrointestinal infections, particularly among children and the elderly.

Sources within the local flour association alleged that the Punjab food department has supplied substandard, low-grade wheat or old stock for grinding under the Ramazan package, so that the same was ground and supplied in the local market.

Insiders claimed that quality inspection mechanisms were either bypassed or inadequately enforced before distribution.

Consumers have demanded strict action against the officials responsible for monitoring the scheme and against the flour mills allegedly involved in supplying inferior products.

Amid the escalating controversy, Federal Minister of State, Barrister Aqeel Malik, during his visit to the Ramazan Nigehban Bazaar on Saturday, expressed anger over receiving complaints of rotten flour being supplied to the masses.

He directed the concerned authorities to “take the house in order” and ensure strict quality control so that only standard flour reaches the public. He reportedly instructed officials to conduct inspections and submit an immediate report.

Despite repeated attempts, Assistant Food Controller (AFC) Taxila Azhar Khan did not respond to official comments. He did not attend the call and did not reply to messages, which speaks volumes about apathy and the bureaucratic attitude of food department officials.

However, when contacted, the Punjab food department in Lahore, the officials confirmed that the department has complaints about the supply of substandard and low-quality flour under the Ramazan subsidy scheme.

He added that, taking action in this regard, one flour mill was sealed and a heavy fine was imposed on the management.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2026