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.
Bobby Cannavale’s son Jake has given fans an update on the bearded dragon that recently made his father the talk of awards season, and it sounds like Benny Blue has settled in just fine.
Jake Cannavale, 30, spoke to E! News at the premiere of his new series Scarpetta on 3rd March, confirming that he and the family’s new reptile have formed quite the bond.
“Oh dude, me and Benny are tight,” he said. “Benny Blue the Bearded Dragon. I love that guy.”
Benny became an unlikely celebrity earlier this year after Bobby skipped the Golden Globes to go and collect him, a decision that sparked considerable amusement online.
Jake reflected on how the arrival of the bearded dragon has revealed a softer side of his father, particularly when it comes to animals.
“It’s funny because you know my dad hated pets growing up,” he said. “And now he’s being a dad again, and everything sort of has changed and he loves animals now. It’s hilarious.”
Bobby shares sons Rocco, 10, and Rafael, 8, with his partner Rose Byrne.
Jake’s involvement with the household has increased to actual babysitting duties, for the lizard, at least.
While Bobby took the boys to Disney, Jake stayed at the house for a few days to look after Benny, getting a crash course in bearded dragon care along the way.
“You have to dip the crickets in calcium powder and cover them in vitamins so that the bearded dragon will get its vitamins from the crickets,” he explained.
Despite the insect-handling, he described the whole experience as surprisingly therapeutic.
“It’s a very cathartic experience. Because he doesn’t really know what’s going on. And sometimes I think, ‘Wow that must be so nice, you’re just a lizard, in the desert. You don’t even know you’re in a cage right now.'”
The United States (U.S.) has opened another military front in Ecuador amid the ongoing Iran war.
According to the U.S. military’s Southern Command, the U.S. and Ecuadorian forces launched joint military operations against “designated terrorist organisations.”
The military did not provide further details; however, it hinted that the operations were part of President Donald Trump’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking in South America.
The Commander of the U.S. Southern Command praised the Ecuadorian residents for their support and unwavering commitment.
Marine General Francis L. Donovan said, “The men and women of Ecuadorian armed forces have demonstrated remarkable courage and resolve through continued actions against narco-terrorists in their country.”
Since returning to the Oval Office for his second term, President Trump has intensified campaign against what the U.S. administration describes as drug trafficking.
The U.S. has carried out around 45 strikes on suspected smuggling vessels killing around 150 people in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean.
Ecuador has been in a state of emergency regarding narco-terrorism since 2024 after gangs stormed a TV station during a live broadcast and took the staff hostage.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa sought help from the U.S. against drug-trafficking gangs.
On a visit to the South American country in September last year, the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to “blow up” gangs if needed and reaffirmed U.S. support in Ecuadorian government’s campaign against narco-terrorists.
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