BAHAWALPUR: The local food department cancelled the licence of a flour mill and suspended its wheat quota for allegedly supplying poor-quality flour to consumers buying it on subsidised rates, while the food inspector concerned was suspended from service for condoning such practices.

The action was taken on Friday, a day after the surprise raid by Bahawalpur Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia on a flour sale point being managed by the food department at Farid Gate here on Thursday night.

During the surprise raid, people gathered at the sale point and complained about the sub-standard flour being supplied by the flour mills to the government’s designated outlets.

The complainants told the commissioner that due to consumption of sub-standard subsidised flour, their families, particularly children, were falling sick and complaining of stomach pain. They demanded strict action against the millers and the food department officials concerned, holding them responsible for their plight.

They also demanded provision of good quality flour at the official sales points for the local consumers.

Food department officials confirmed to Dawn that the licence of Nassir Flour Mills, that was supplying flour to different sales points, has been cancelled and its wheat quota was also stopped with immediate effect.

In addition, the food inspector concerned, Kamran, has been suspended from service and an inquiry has been initiated against him, they said.

However, senior officials of local food department were reluctant to disclose the nature of action taken against the miller and food inspector.

The commissioner told Dawn that flour samples from the sale point have been sent to food laboratory for analysis and after receipt of results, further action could be taken against the flour millers and officials concerned in accordance with law.

Local consumers have been complaining of poor quality of flour being sold on subsidised rates.

They say that because of the poor flour quality, most of the deserving consumers avoid buying the commodity from the official flour outlets.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2026