ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Naanbai Association, along with Rawalpindi and Islamabad tandoor owners, has given the government a one-week ultimatum to announce officially an increase in the roti, naan, and paratha prices.
The action is being taken following a sudden surge in the price of flour, fine flour, and commercial gas cylinders, which tandoor operators maintain has rendered it impossible to sell bread at existing prices.
The rates of a 40kg sack of common flour have reached Rs. 6,000, while fine flour has reached Rs. 7,200 per sack, an increase of Rs. 500 and Rs. 600 respectively in merely the last week alone, as per Shafeeq Abbasi, central president of the association. The rates are still on the rise, said Abbasi, adding pressure on small and medium enterprises.
Adding to the crisis is that tandoor owners are saying that Sui gas and LNG supplies have been suspended, so they have to use commercial gas cylinders, which currently cost Rs14,000 per cylinder.
“No tandoor has access to Sui gas despite the scorching heat. All tandoor operators have to purchase costly commercial gas cylinders to function,” Abbasi said. He further informed that the problem is compounded by increasing electricity tariffs, the hike in shop rents, and enhanced remuneration to workers.
Even the cost of the basic ingredients of ghee, oil, and dry milk has increased, making it “impossible to sell affordable bread.”
In an attempt to resolve these issues, the association has demanded a collective convention of naanbai organizations from Islamabad and all the districts of Punjab in Rawalpindi after Eid al-Adha. The members will decide there if new, higher prices for bread and naan should officially be announced or a total strike and demonstration be initiated.
Abbasi called on the government and the Deputy Commissioners to step in and announce new, realistic bread product prices. He threatened that if their request is not granted, the All Punjab Tandoor Owners Convention will be compelled to adopt drastic actions, such as the potential closure of tandoors throughout the region.
The threat of an impending strike has sparked fears of bread shortages in the twin cities as well as in Punjab, particularly Punjab, particularly with inflation continuing to pressurize both consumers and businesses.
