Negotiations between the government, district administration, and representatives of the All Bakers’ Organizations to prevent a rise in roti prices have collapsed.
Under the umbrella of the Pakistan Nanbai Association, baker groups from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and all 43 districts of Punjab declared that they will raise the prices of roti, naan, paratha, and roghani naan starting Tuesday, September 9.
The move has alarmed district authorities, who called for an urgent meeting with the bakers’ leadership. However, association leaders have refused to attend and are reportedly avoiding contact to escape possible arrests.
According to Shafiq Qureshi, the central president of the Pakistan Nanbai Association, the sharp rise in flour prices has made it impossible to maintain old rates. He explained that a 79 kg sack of red flour, which cost Rs5,435 until August 31, is now being sold at Rs9,200 by flour mills and up to Rs9,700 in open markets. Similarly, the price of a fine flour sack has surged from Rs6,200 to Rs9,800, with market rates reaching Rs10,400.
Qureshi noted that, under such circumstances, bakers cannot continue to sell roti at Rs14. As a result, the price of Surkh Patiri roti will increase to Rs 20, while naan and paratha will go up by Rs 5 each.
He added that bakers are willing to roll back the hike if the government restores the previous flour prices, stressing, “We cannot sell cheap roti when flour sacks cost over Rs9,000.”