Rawalpindi: Naanbais have refused to sell ‘roti’ under the current circumstances as the prices of LPG and flour continue to rise sharply.
“All Pakistan Naanbais Welfare Association (APNWA) will provide only ‘naan’ but not ‘roti’ in this situation. And if force is used we will close all tandoors,” APNWA President Muhammad Shafiq Qureshi said.
Retailers, in the absence of natural gas, are taking full advantage of the situation and selling one kilogram of LPG at Rs450 to Rs500. Previously, naanbais were selling roti at Rs15 and naan at Rs30.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has once again increased LPG prices. The price per kilogram has been raised by Rs78.28, bringing the new maximum to Rs304.12 per kg. Despite earlier directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to sell roti at Rs15, naanbais have now refused to comply due to rising input costs.
Qureshi said the association had decided to stop selling roti because of continuous increases in LPG and flour prices. “We were buying a 45-kilogram cylinder for Rs12,000 but now the same cylinder costs Rs22,000,” he said.
He added that naanbais would resume selling roti at Rs15 if the government reverses LPG and flour prices. “If the government uses force against us, we will lock down all city areas,” he warned.
Meanwhile, consumers said that the local administration and the Price Control and Regulatory Authority (PEERA) have failed to curb profiteering and hoarding as the LPG sellers are openly overcharging.
Two-member gang arrested
Rawalpindi: Police have arrested a two-member gang involved in multiple robbery incidents and recovered a snatched motorcycle, cash worth Rs80,000 and weapons used in the crimes. According to police, the operation led to the arrest of the suspects who were allegedly involved in street robberies in the area.
The recovered items include the stolen motorcycle and cash taken during the incidents. Superintendent of Police (SP) Potohar Sardar Babar Mumtaz Khan commended performance of Saddar Wah police, stated that the accused will be challaned in court with solid evidence.
