Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) has urged the federal government for immediate payment of Rs 4 billion pending rebate on wheat export. While, addressing the press conference on Wednesday at the Karachi Press Club, PFMA chairman Chaudary Ansar Jawed said the flour mills have exported as per government policy to offload the wheat stock. However, despite submitting claims with all relevant documents, payment of rebate on wheat export made after February 2016, has not been made yet to the flour mills.
"Food department and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have also asked the federal government for early funds' release for payment of rebate", he added. He informed that flour mills are facing financial crisis due to non-payment of rebate and now millers are unable to export further commodity. He urged federal government for immediate release of funds to State Bank for payment of rebate to the flour mills.
Ansar also criticized the government for not announcing the wheat release price. He said with Rs 1300 per 40 kg wheat support price, Pakistan is expecting bumper wheat crop, however the announcement of release price is still waiting. He said during the previous year government suddenly reduced release price of wheat, which resulted million of rupees loss to the flour mills. PFMA chairman informed that central committee of PFMA met on Wednesday to review the wheat situation in the country and expressed satisfaction on the available stocks and production.