Sindh announces crackdown on wheat hoarding to stabilize flour prices

Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, has

Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, has announced that the provincial government will launch a coordinated crackdown against hoarders in collaboration with relevant institutions to ensure the availability of essential commodities and prevent artificial shortages.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi alongside Sindh Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman, Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar and other provincial ministers, Memon said the federal government wants all provinces to formulate a unified wheat policy. However, he also announced that the Sindh government has decided not to allow the establishment of any new sugar mills in the province.

Memon further revealed that the federal government has signed an agreement with the Sindh government to establish a dedicated centre for children with special needs. He also announced the creation of a new institution, the Sindh Fisheries Security Services, aimed at strengthening the security and management of the fisheries sector.

He said the Benazir Bhutto Flyover project is expected to be completed within one month, while approval has also been granted for the NED Science and Technology Park, which is expected to support innovation, research and technological development in the province.

Sindh Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman stated that the provincial government disagrees with certain aspects of the federal wheat policy and will formally communicate its objections to the Centre. He stressed that provinces have constitutional autonomy and should be allowed to formulate policies according to their own requirements.

The food minister said Sindh’s wheat policy has been successful and claimed that a specific group is attempting to create an artificial shortage of wheat. He added that strict legal action would be taken against hoarders under existing laws.

Commenting on national issues, Memon described the recent incident involving foreign women in Punjab as unfortunate, while praising the Punjab government for responding promptly and taking effective action.

Addressing political matters, Memon criticised the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), saying its statements about leaving the federal cabinet are merely political rhetoric. He challenged the party to resign from the federal government if it genuinely wished to protest over Sindh’s issues.

On the issue of water resources, Memon said Sindh is facing a severe water shortage and accused India of openly violating the Indus Waters Treaty. He alleged that India is attempting to retaliate through violations of the treaty and praised Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for effectively presenting Pakistan’s position and the importance of the Indus River at the international level.

Memon also said fuel subsidies in Sindh had been provided under a defined policy framework and reiterated the provincial government’s demand for the 1991 Water Accord to be implemented in its true spirit. He added that no complaints had been received regarding the disappearance of wheat stocks from Sindh.