Entertainment
After sugar price shock, flour soars as wheat costs spike
- 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.
Royal family members hold their breath as new drama is set to unfold from Sarah Ferguson’s side.
After losing her royal titles and perks, Fergie has been lying low in order to keep away from further controversy.
Most recently, she was photographed in Austria at a luxury ski resort.
But the sources have been claiming that she will not keep quiet; instead, she tells her side of the story, which could be disastrous for King Charles and his family.
According to Woman’s Day, the former Duchess of York has been offered $2.45million for a tell-all interview by an American journalist.
“Sarah’s come out of shock and is now furious at what’s happened to her life. She wants to sit down and tell her side of her association with Epstein – and what she knew in hindsight about Andrew’s association. And she’s got a LOT to tell,” an insider shared.
Beatrice and Eugenie’s mother’s revelations would be dangerous and could put the monarchy at tough spot.
“She and Andrew had an open arrangement, so if she goes down, they all go down,” the source said.
It has been claimed that Sarah Ferguson is going to become the “real thorn in the crown” for the King and the Prince of Wales.
Not only that, she might exposed more details about her former husband Andrew’s ties with Epstein.
- IBO conducted on reported presence of India-backed militants: ISPR.
- Says weapons and ammunition also recovered from killed terrorists.
- Sanitisation operation continues to eliminate any other militants.
Security forces and law enforcement agencies neutralised at least 22 India-sponsored terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on April 21, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.
According to the military’s media wing, the joint operation was conducted in response to the reported presence of India-backed militants, also known as Fitna al-Khawarij.
It added that during the operation, the terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing out of panic and in an attempt to avoid capture. As a result, a 10-year-old innocent child was martyred.
The ISPR added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed India-sponsored terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.
“Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji found in the area,” the ISPR said, adding that the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
“Such sacrifices of our innocent civilians further strengthen our resolve.”
Pakistan has witnessed a spike in cross-border militant activity, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both of which share a border with Afghanistan, since the Afghan Taliban took control in 2021.
In response to the escalating attacks, Pakistan launched “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” during which approximately 796 Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants were killed, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
More than 1,000 Afghan Taliban fighters and terrorists were also injured during the Operation Ghazab lil-Haq. The minister had said that 286 posts of the Afghan Taliban regime had been destroyed and 44 captured.
In October 2025, the two countries were also involved in border clashes after Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants carried out unprovoked assaults on Pakistan’s border positions.
The ensuing fighting resulted in the deaths of over 200 Taliban and affiliated militants, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred in the line of duty.
Mariska Hargitay has revealed she was moved to tears after seeing Christopher Meloni’s emotional response to the cancellation of Law & Order: Organized Crime, describing it as the closing of a significant chapter for her longtime co-star and friend.
Speaking to Extra, Hargitay said she watched Meloni’s Instagram video about the show ending and was immediately overcome.
“I saw it and burst out in tears, first of all,” she said.
“I immediately burst out in tears because it has, just like [Meloni] said, and he was so beautiful and open, because it has been a great ride. And it has been so beautiful and intimate and such a huge part of his life and was life-changing for him.”
She also said the news had come as a genuine shock.
“Chris is working and in demand and such a magnificent actor. But it’s, in a way, closing a chapter. So when that happens, one needs to take inventory. It’s a real marker in your life.”
Law & Order: Organized Crime was officially cancelled after five seasons earlier this month.
Meloni marked the occasion with a heartfelt video on Instagram.
“I wanted to take this moment to say thank you to the fans who not only helped give the character of Elliot Stabler life and longevity, but for sticking with him and welcoming him back. It was a good ride,” he said.
The series, which premiered in 2021, followed Stabler, the character Meloni first played on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as he returned to New York after a decade away to rebuild his life and take on organised crime.
It aired on NBC for its first four seasons before moving to Peacock for its fifth and final season, which concluded in June 2025.
The cast also included Danielle Moné Truitt, Rick Gonzalez, Ainsley Seiger and Dean Norris.
North India cotton yarn steady despite continued push by spinners
The WIRED Gear Team’s Tips on Ways to Save Money
Bangladesh, EU sign Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
-
Fashion1 week agoFrance’s LVMH Q1 revenue falls 6%, shows resilience amid Iran war
-
Entertainment1 week agoIs Claude down? Here’s why users are seeing errors
-
Sports1 week agoPSL 11: Peshawar Zalmi win toss, opt to field first against Quetta Gladiators
-
Tech1 week agoCYBERUK ’26: UK lagging on legal protections for cyber pros | Computer Weekly
-
Business1 week agoPepsiCo earnings beat estimates as North American food business improves
-
Sports5 days agoWWE WrestleMania 42 Night 2: Live match results and analysis
-
Fashion1 week agoRaymond unveils luxury Chairman’s Collection Store in Mumbai
-
Sports5 days agoNCAA men’s gymnastics championship: All-time winners list