Punjab govt slashes roti price by Rs4 despite nanbais’ concerns

In a sigh of relief for the people in Punjab amid skyrocketing inflation, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday reduced the price of roti (flat bread made in tandoor) by Rs4 to Rs16 with immediate effect across the province.

The first-ever female chief minister announced last month that all necessary measures would be taken to provide relief to people in the province.

Taking to her official X handle, formally known as Twitter, Maryam wrote: “Alhamdulillah! The Punjab government has reduced the prices of roti and fixed it at Rs16.”

The provincial chief executive further said that she had instructed all the districts and relevant departments to ensure strict implementation of the decision.

Meanwhile, citizens hailed the provincial government’s decision to slash the price of roti from Rs20 to Rs16.

The authorities, however, are yet to implement the decision as nanbais said that they did not receive the orders in this regard so far.

Nanbais refuse to sell roti at govt rate

On the other hand, nanbai associations across the province “unanimously” rejected the government’s decision.

They are of the view that they are ready to sell roti at the government rate if they are provided subsidy.

In a statement, Nanbai Association President Shafique Qureshi said: “We are ready to reduce roti price if the Punjab government provides us subsidy.”

Referring to high prices of wheat flour and LPG, Qureshi asked how can they sell roti at cheaper rates. "The government is not providing us subsidy on gas and electricity,” he added.

"We will sell roti at Rs16 if [government] provide them cheap flour,” the nanbais said.

The Punjab cabinet, earlier this month, fixed the minimum support price of wheat for the year 2023-2024 at Rs3,900 per 40kg. Chairing the fifth meeting of the provincial cabinet, CM Maryam had said: “It is my commitment to ensure that the interests of small farmers are protected at all costs.”

She had also announced that Rs150,000 interest-free loan would be given to small farmers for buying farm inputs like seeds, fertiliser and pesticides, under the best and most historic farmer cards in the history of Pakistan.

In addition to this, the chief minister had unveiled the largest Ramazan Nigahban Package to provide relief to over 30 million deserving individuals across the province last month.

She had expressed her commitment to fulfilling promises made in her inaugural assembly speech and ensuring relief reaches the people at their doorsteps.

Under the Ramadan Nighaban Package, 6.5 million hampers equipped with QR codes were distributed to deserving families, eliminating the need for individuals to queue up during fasting days.