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After sugar price shock, flour soars as wheat costs spike

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After sugar price shock, flour soars as wheat costs spike


A labourer is carrying flour bags on his shoulder after unloading from a loading truck at a local market, Karachi, February 27, 2025. — ONLINE
  • Market deregulation sparks surge in wheat prices.
  • Wheat climbs to Rs3,100, flour bags costlier.
  • Wheat jumps Rs1,000, flour bags up Rs500.

LAHORE: Wheat and flour prices have surged sharply, with wheat climbing by Rs300 this week to Rs3,100 per maund (40kg). 

The hike follows a month-long upward trend, during which wheat gained nearly Rs1,000 per 40kg and the price of a 20kg flour bag rose by about Rs500. 

This recent hike is part of a broader trend, as both wheat and flour prices have been steadily increasing. The steep increases have raised alarm over market manipulation and the absence of effective government oversight.

Critics claim that the provincial government’s abrupt decision to cease regulating the wheat market without prior notice has created an environment conducive to price manipulation. This lack of oversight may have empowered wheat hoarders to artificially inflate prices, further exacerbating the situation.

According to Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) Chairman Asim Raza, the government has been facing challenges in controlling wheat prices. Raza warned that the ongoing rise in wheat prices is likely to trigger a corresponding increase in flour prices in the near future.

In response to these developments, the association is actively focusing on the issue to better understand the underlying causes and potential implications for the market.

Nevertheless, the emerging situation, according to market insiders, highlights the complex interplay between government policies, market forces, and price dynamics in the wheat and flour sectors.

Progressive Flour Millers Group (PFMG) Chairman Khaliq Arshad cautioned that low wheat reserves in the country could be one of the leading reasons for the rising trend in its prices. 

According to him, Punjab has estimated reserves of over 2.5 million tonnes, both in the public and private sector, which are definitely not enough to meet the demand till April 2026.

He was of the view that prices of wheat and flour may continue to climb steadily if authorities failed to take corrective measures. The upward trend of grain prices prompted traders to sell stored wheat in the open market. That is why the wheat price reversed from Rs3,250 per 40 to Rs3,100.

To a question, he stressed the need to adopt a proactive approach by the federal and provincial governments for supplementing wheat stocks with a view to meeting domestic demand before the start of the next harvesting season. Import of wheat may be inevitable given the present and evolving situation, he warned.

PFMG President Majid Abdullah observed that stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation, anticipating potential impacts on the broader food market. 

He disclosed that the notification issued by the Punjab government about capping the price of wheat at Rs2,900 per 40kg and flour at Rs1,750 in the retail market is no more being followed in the market. The strong market dynamics have baffled many, and these are dictating demand and supply as well as prices now onwards, he added.

It is a simple matter of demand and supply, he emphasized, adding if the government wants to maintain flour price at certain level, policy needs to be revised according to ground realities.

When contacted, Special Assistant to CM, Price Control & Commodities Management Salma Butt was not available for comment on specific queries regarding the surge in wheat and flour prices that have been on the rise for about a month.





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‘Stranger Things’ Jamie Campbell Bower on Vecna transformation: ‘Hideous’

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‘Stranger Things’ Jamie Campbell Bower on Vecna transformation: ‘Hideous’


Jamie Campbell Bower on Vecna transformation

Vecna, there’s a lot of talk about the character’s makeover in the new season of Stranger Things, and it didn’t take long for fans to notice that something has changed. 

Jamie Campbell Bower has returned as the terrifying villain in the first volume of season five, and viewers were quick to point out his sharpened look, especially that slim waist.

One fan on X asked why Vecna appeared so different this time around, pointing out the “branches on his shoulder” and “slimmer waist.” 

Jamie didn’t miss the chance to keep things light, replying with one word: “Zumba.”

After being nearly burned alive by Nancy Wheeler at the end of season four, the villain formerly known as Henry Creel is back in Hawkins with longer vines across his shoulders and head, and visible marks from the injuries he sustained. 

While still large and imposing, his new appearance is much leaner than before.

For Jamie, the changes are tied to Vecna’s journey and what he has endured. 

Speaking about the transformation in an interview with Screen Rant, he said, “Well, as we saw at the end of season four, Vecna suffered a fall and obviously was sort of almost burned alive. My understanding of it is that the reason he looks the way he does now is a byproduct of partly of that process. And also, just having spent more time, not in the human world as it were.”

Jamie continued, “He’s become more resentful and hideous within that process and part of the world in which he was thrown into.” 

He also explained that stepping into this evolved version of the character took even more work behind the scenes. 

“I speak about this often,” he said, adding that extra pieces were added to the suit to bring his presence to life. The makeup alone took around eight hours to complete.

Jamie teased Vecna’s return before the season dropped as well. 

Back in October, he posted a clip of the character walking through the Upside Down with the caption, “At long last, we can begin. @strangerthingstv Hi x.”

With Stranger Things Vol. 1 now streaming, fans won’t have to wait long for the rest. Vol. 2 lands on Dec. 25, and the finale arrives Dec. 31. 

Vecna is officially back, and more frightening than ever.





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John Travolta gives ‘Greased Lightnin” a Santa-inspired revival

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John Travolta gives ‘Greased Lightnin” a Santa-inspired revival


John Travolta dresses up as Santa for Capital One ad

John Travolta is giving fans a nostalgic holiday surprise by channeling his iconic Grease character Danny Zuko, this time dressed as Santa Claus.

The actor, 71, stars in a new Capital One commercial where he appears in a workshop-style garage, decked out as Santa and eyeing a high-tech sleigh. 

While checking out the vehicle, Travolta goes into character and jokes, “Ho, ho, ho, ho. Why, this sleigh could be frost-o-matic, tinsel-matic, 1.5% cash back-o-matic.” 

He follows it up with an unmistakable throwback line, “It’s Greased Lightnin’,” while paying with a Capital One card.

Travolta then jumps into a playful reenactment of the famous Greased Lightnin’ performance, complete with dance moves and support from Santa’s elves, plus a reindeer in sunglasses. 

He ends the commercial with the tagline, “Ho, ho, ho — what’s in your wallet?” before the sleigh takes off into the sky.

This isn’t the first time Travota has nodded to his most memorable roles in Capital One ads. 

Last year, he partnered with Samuel L. Jackson for a spot filled with Pulp Fiction references. 

The 2024 holiday ad also brought back his Santa persona, where he shops online for gifts like hot chocolate, marshmallows and “3,000 bolo ties,” a fun reference to his role as Vincent Vega. 

The ad wraps up with Travolta’s Santa recreating the iconic Pulp Fiction dance scene, set to Chuck Berry’s Run Run Rudolph.

Travolta has shown his love for Grease before too, including a surprise appearance at a Hollywood Bowl sing-along event for the classic movie.

With his latest ad, he brings back the spirit of Greased Lightnin’ in a festive way, mixing Hollywood nostalgia, holiday cheer and a little bit of classic Travolta charm.





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Sean Diddy Combs docuseries raises expectations with new bombshell

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Sean Diddy Combs docuseries raises expectations with new bombshell


50 Cent’s Diddy docuseries promises rare peek into rapper’s career downfall

Sean Diddy Combs’ new documentary, Sean Combs: The Reckoning, is produced by none other than his arch-nemeses, 50 Cent, and the teaser promises to pull back the curtain on the rapper’s scandals and crimes.

The new trailer, which is only 56 seconds long, showed new footage from before the Bad Boy Records founder’s arrest in September 2024, and he appeared visibly worried about losing the legal battle, which hadn’t started yet.

The footage released on December 1 showed the disgraced music mogul scrambling for legal help as he tells his team, “We have to find somebody that’ll work with us that has dealt in the dirtiest of dirty business. We’re losing!”

Social media sleuths flocked to X and shared their curiosity over the documentary, which will be available to stream on December 2.

“50 cent trolling diddy hard with this one,” one X user wrote, while another echoed, “50 been waiting his whole life to drop this bomb on Diddy and tomorrow Netflix finally hands him the mic. All those years of shots fired on Instagram just turned into a whole documentary,” referring to decades-long feud between the two musicians.

“They let 50 produce it? oh he’s COOKINGDDDD somebody up,” chimed in a third, while one reacted, “Oh yeah, this is about to shake the whole internet again.”

While Diddy is serving up to 50 months in prison, 50 Cent has collected never-before-seen footage and explosive information on the former’s Freak Off parties, as well as stories from the accusers, which will be told in the documentary.





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