Price Hike Warning: Punjab Tandoor Owners Threaten Strike Over Surging Flour Costs

The ongoing dispute between the Punjab Food Department and the Muttahida Nanbai Association remains locked in a stalemate, with tandoor operators warning they will unilaterally hike flatbread prices if an official agreement is not reached.

Proposed Tariff Hikes

With negotiations at a standstill, the Nanbai Association has convened a critical meeting for Saturday to finalize their strategy and formally announce the revised tariff structure. Under the proposed pricing plan, the retail costs of staple flatbreads are set to increase significantly:

• Roti: Set to increase to Rs. 25.

• Naan: Set to increase to Rs. 35.

Pushback and Protest Warnings

The association has taken a defiant stance, warning provincial authorities that any attempt to forcibly shut down tandoors or enforce previous rate caps will be met with a widespread, shutter-down strike. Tandoor owners argue that soaring raw material costs—specifically surging flour prices and high gas tariffs—make the existing government-mandated price limits completely unsustainable.

Meanwhile, the Punjab provincial government has yet to notify any revised official pricing, leaving both business owners and everyday consumers in a state of limbo. This persistent deadlock is expected to find some resolution following the association’s decisive weekend meeting.