NEW DELHI, INDIA — Flour millers in the Punjab province of Pakistan have decided to go on strike to protest the recent raids conducted by the Punjab Food Authority, Pakistan Today reported.

The Punjab Food Authority has seized thousands of tonnes of what it describes as “illegally stocked wheat” across the province during a series of raids.

Pakistan Today reported that the authority seized 10,000 wheat bags from Dera Ghazi Khan, 3,000 from Bahawalnagar and 2,000 bags from Layyah. A total of 20,000 bags also were impounded from a warehouse in Multan.

The Authority said it is cracking down on hoarding to prevent food shortages and rising prices during the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Pakistan Millers Association told Pakistan Today that the food authority has restricted mills from buying wheat on the open market, which has led to a shortage in the supply of raw material at the warehouses.

The flour millers said they are required to keep enough wheat in storage for 72 hours, but now don’t have enough wheat to last them 24 to 48 hours.

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