Corruption Under the Guise of Flood Relief: Wheat Flour Prices Soar Across Pakistan

Islamabad – Amid heavy rains and flooding in Punjab, the price of wheat flour has surged sharply across Pakistan, sparking public anger over profiteering and mismanagement.

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics report up to September 5, the price of a 20-kilogram flour bag has risen by PKR 1,050 in just three weeks, with the maximum price recorded at PKR 2,500 in some parts of the country.

Breakdown of price hikes in different cities shows sharp disparities:

Bannu: PKR 1,050 increase

Peshawar & Larkana: PKR 900

Sukkur: PKR 840

Lahore: PKR 830

Multan: PKR 826

Gujranwala & Sialkot: PKR 817

Islamabad: PKR 800

Rawalpindi & Quetta: PKR 740

Bahawalpur: PKR 866.67

The steep rise has fueled criticism that hoarders and profiteers are exploiting the flood crisis, turning it into a lucrative business at the expense of ordinary citizens already struggling with inflation