SIALKOT, Nov 4: Traders in connivance with flour mills’ owners have started hoarding flour bags of smaller quantity thus creating an artificial shortage of the daily-use commodity here in Sailkot district in the wake of imposition of state of emergency on Nov 3.

People are facing difficulties in purchasing flour at wholesalers and retailers’ shops in Sialkot, Daska, Bhopalwala, Sambrial, Uggoki, Satrah, Pasrur, Chawinda, Badiana and surrounding areas and particularly the 10 and 20kg flour bags have vanished from the shops. Shopkeepers are forcing the people, including labourers and others belonging to low-income group, to buy the 100kg flour bags due to non-availability of the 10 and 20kg bags. The people have urged the government to look in to the matter urgently.