SARGODHA, Jan 4: Amid participants of Friday prayers, resolutions were passed in almost all mosques against the more than 16 hours a day of power loadshedding and flour crisis.

The religious leaders voiced their concern over the shortage of flour and unbridled increase in its prices.

A survey reveals that mills are supplying substandard quality of flour in the market which is being sold at Rs22 per kg while the `chaki’ flour is available at staggering price from Rs23 to Rs25 per kg.

A salesman of the utility store, requesting anonymity, said that officials concerned were involved in smuggling of flour which had resulted in its shortage for the last three days.

He said the store in charge sold only 30 per cent flour to buyers while rest of the commodity was supplied to hotels and retailers. Some retailers were seen selling flour bearing special monogram of the utility store.

He said that retailers were getting supply in bulk from various utility stores with the blessings of the regional chief. He further said that officials were charging from retailers Rs350 for each 20kg flour bag, which is no more than 18kg in weight.

Razzaq Dhilon, a PML-N candidate from the city’s provincial assembly seat, said the government in a bid to divert attention of the public from Benazir’s assassination had created acute power shortage and price hike.

Meanwhile, the Jamaat-i-Islami also staged a demonstration against the artificial flour shortage and massive power loadshedding.

JI leader Dr Arshad Shahid alleged that the government was out to promote hoarding and blackmarketing. He said that a national government should be formed after taking all political parties on board.

He held the Food department responsible for the flour shortage as its officials were involved in smuggling of flour to Afghanistan in connivance with mill owners.