MANSEHRA: The speaker of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati, on Thursday welcomed the proactive role of the committee constituted by the prime minister with regard to revoking the ban imposed on transportation of wheat flour to the province from the Punjab.

“The price of wheat flour has surged in markets across the province due to the ban imposed by the Punjab government on its transportation, but now the rates would come down, providing relief to the people,” he told media persons.

Mr Swati said that Faisal Karim Kundi, Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi, opposition leader Dr Ibadullah and parliamentary leaders of all political parties played an important role in resolving the issue.

“Thanks to all political parties united stand that addressed this important issue which had fueled the prices of the essential commodity in markets across the province,” he said.

The speaker said that the federal government had been left with no other option but to intervene and lift the ban imposed by the Punjab government.

“If political parties uphold the interests of this province and its people and struggle jointly, nobody could deprive KP of its due rights,” Mr Swati said.

“The price of a 20kg wheat flour bag has surged to Rs3,000 in the markets due to the ban on the transportation of wheat and other commodities. Now the rates are likely to come down,” Mohammad Arif Rajpot, a local, told reporters.

Five cops hurt

Five police personnel sustained critical injuries after a police patrolling van was hit by an avalanche and plunged into a ravine in the Jalkhad area of Kaghan valley.

“I rushed to the scene after the incident and shifted the injured personnel to a nearby health facility,” SP Sabir Khan told reporters on Thursday.

The police patrolling van carrying personnel was returning to Naran from the Gattidas area of Kaghan Valley when it was struck by a snow avalanche at MNJ Road and fell into a ravine.

The injured personnel, identified as Mohammad Imtiaz, Mohammad Waseem, Faisal Khan, Waleed Butt and Owais Shah, sustained critical injuries and were initially shifted to a Basic Health Unit in Naran.

According to police, all injured personnel were later shifted to a health facility in Balakot and King Abdullah Teaching Hospital, where their condition was stated to be out of danger.

The personnel were performing patrol duties in the upper parts of Kaghan Valley to ensure safety of tourists.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2026