Naanbais in Major City Announce Strike

Members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Naanbai Association in Peshawar have announced a strike to protest the ban on the supply of flour from Punjab and the absence of an official price list.

Khishta Gul Mohmand, chairman of the association for Peshawar district, and joint secretary Jehanzeb said the restriction on flour supply imposed by the Punjab government is illegal and discriminatory. They said the ban has caused flour prices to increase by up to Rs. 1,700.

They stated that rising flour prices, inflation, electricity load management, and actions by the district administration have made it difficult for naanbais to continue operations. They said tandoor owners face financial difficulties under the current conditions.

The association leaders said the district administration has not issued a revised rate list despite repeated requests. They said the lack of an official price notification has left naanbais vulnerable to fines and arrests.

They added that flour prices have continued to increase for several months. The association demanded the immediate lifting of the flour supply ban by the Punjab government, issuance of a new price notification by the district administration, and an end to enforcement actions.