The flour mills were eventually shut down on Thursday for an indefinite period in various parts of the country after the government failed to redress concerns of the Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) against imposition of withholding tax on the flour.
According to the PFMA, more than 1500 flour mills have halted wheat washing and flour supply followed by recent announcement of taking to strikes if its demand of uncapping the withholding tax on the flour.
It further said that small scale flour dealers were also joining the chorus of millers in lodging their protest against the government.
In line with PFA’s orders, as many as 73 flour mills in Gujranwala and more than 60 mills in Multan ceased their operations.
PFMA spokesperson said that closure of flour mills would result in suspension of supply of 200,000 flour bags per day.
Besides, millers in Faisalabad, Khushab, Peshawar and Quetta also complied with instructions of PMFA by locking their mills.