PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi on Wednesday directed the food department to release 136,000 metric tonnes of wheat from strategic reserves to mills and dealers in order to provide relief to consumers and ensure uninterrupted availability of essential food items to people.

The decision, according to an official statement, was taken after restrictions were imposed by the Punjab government on inter-provincial movement of wheat.

The chief minister said that the decision was meant to safeguard interests of people and stabilise prices of wheat in the province.

Following the restrictions imposed by the Punjab government, wheat prices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa open market surged to Rs13,650 per 100 kilograms. In order counter the pressure and ensure affordability, the provincial government decided to supply wheat at a subsidised rate of Rs10,414 per 100 kilograms.

As a result, a 20-kilogram bag of flour would be available to people at a subsidised price of Rs2,220 instead of Rs3,020.

The chief minister said that Article 151 of the Constitution of Pakistan guaranteed free movement of essential commodities across the country so the KP government would not allow food availability to become hostage to provincial barriers or administrative restrictions.

He stated that safeguarding the fundamental rights of people was a constitutional obligation of the government and no compromise would be made on it. He said that the wheat release process would be carried out in a transparent manner and strictly in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

“Under this mechanism, wheat will be supplied only to eligible flour mills and authorised dealers,” the statement quoted Mr Afridi as saying. He said that the sale of flour at officially notified prices would be ensured at all costs. “For this purpose, an effective system of monitoring and physical verification will be implemented at district and tehsil levels,” he added.

He said that hoarding, profiteering and overcharging would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken without discrimination against those found violating government directives.

The chief minister said that the KP government stood with its people under all circumstances, and no compromise would be made on the interests of common man.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2026