Pakistan's flour milling industry has sounded an urgent alarm, warning that without immediate federal intervention to approve wheat imports, the country could face a severe flour shortage by December. This plea comes despite the Punjab government's recent decision to release official wheat stocks in an effort to stabilize a market already reeling from sharp price increases. Main Developments Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) Chairman Asim Raza issued a statement Tuesday detailing the crisis. Wheat prices have surged to between Rs4,300 and Rs4,500 per maund across Punjab, directly driving up the cost of flour and bread and placing an additional burden on consumers. Raza welcomed the Punjab government's release of official wheat stocks, calling it a positive step that would help stabilize prices and discourage speculative hoarding. He noted that the measure should ultimately lower flour and bread prices if implemented effectively. Read also: Indian rupee flat as oil surge offsets foreign inflows However, he cautioned that provincial stock releases alone would not guarantee uninterrupted supplies through the coming months. The PFMA is urging the federal government to simultaneously approve wheat imports to bridge the expected supply gap, warning that delays could lead to a fresh flour crisis by December. Background Pakistan's wheat market faces continued uncertainty following a significant reduction in public procurement this year. Unlike previous years, provincial governments made limited wheat purchases, leaving the private sector to dominate procurement and storage. Agriculture experts have repeatedly warned that while the government's market-led policy has reduced fiscal pressure from carrying large wheat stocks, it has also made prices more vulnerable to speculation and supply disruptions by increasing dependence on private inventories. This year's wheat harvest was relatively healthy due to favorable weather, but analysts note the absence of sizeable government buffer stocks could create supply management challenges later in the marketing season if demand rises or private stocks are withheld. The country has alternated between exporting and importing wheat over recent years, depending on domestic production and policy decisions. Why It Matters If import decisions are postponed, Pakistan may face shortages and sharp price increases later this year, directly impacting consumers already struggling with high flour and bread costs. The situation underscores the delicate balance between market-driven policies and the need for strategic public reserves to ensure food security. Market watchers stress that any decision on imports must be made well in advance, as international procurement, shipping, and inland distribution require several months. Without timely action, the country could see a repeat of past shortages that hit households hard during winter months. What's Next Raza urged both federal and provincial governments to formulate a coordinated wheat supply strategy, combining timely imports, release of official stocks, and strict action against hoarding. The PFMA expects the federal government to make a decision on import approval soon, as delays could trigger a chain reaction of rising prices and supply disruptions by December.