Naanbais in Peshawar have called a strike over a Punjab flour supply ban, rising costs and the lack of an official price list, saying tandoors can’t survive.
Why Peshawar’s Naanbais Are Going on Strike
Members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Naanbai Association in Peshawar have announced a strike, warning that they can no longer operate tandoors under the current conditions. The association says that a combination of rising flour prices, inflation, electricity load management and strict actions by the district administration has pushed naanbais to the breaking point.
The announcement was made by district chairman Khishta Gul Mohmand and joint secretary Jehanzeb, who said that tandoor owners are facing serious financial difficulties. They argue that without relief on input costs and clear, updated pricing from the government, keeping tandoors open has become almost impossible for many small shopkeepers.
Flour Supply Ban From Punjab and Soaring Costs
A central grievance behind the strike call is the reported ban on flour supply from Punjab. According to the association, the Punjab government has restricted the movement of flour into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, creating an artificial shortage and driving up local prices.
Naanbai representatives have called the restriction illegal and discriminatory. They claim that, as a direct result of the ban, the price of flour has jumped by as much as Rs1,700. For tandoor owners whose business depends heavily on flour, this kind of spike destroys already thin profit margins.
With inflation already high and other expenses such as rent, fuel and wages also rising, naanbais say they cannot absorb these extra costs indefinitely. They argue that either flour prices must be brought down or official naan rates must be revised to reflect the new reality.
No Updated Price List and Fear of Fines
Another major complaint concerns the absence of an updated official price list for naan and related products. The association says it has repeatedly requested a revised rate notification from the district administration, but no new list has been issued so far.
In the meantime, many naanbais feel stuck. If they raise prices on their own to match increased flour costs, they risk fines, raids and even arrest for “overcharging”. If they keep selling at old official rates, they make little or no profit and in some cases operate at a loss.
Association leaders say this situation has left naanbais exposed to enforcement actions while offering them no legal way to adjust prices. They argue that it is unfair to demand cheap naan from tandoor owners when the cost of flour and other inputs keeps rising without any government revision of the official rate.
Demands of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Naanbai Association
In their strike announcement, the association put forward several key demands. First, they called for the immediate lifting of the flour supply ban imposed by the Punjab government, saying inter-provincial trade should not be restricted in a way that harms basic food supplies.
Second, they demanded that the district administration issue an updated price notification for naan and roti. This would allow naanbais to charge a rate that reflects current flour prices while protecting them from arbitrary fines and arrests.
Third, the association asked for an end to aggressive enforcement actions against tandoor owners until a fair pricing framework is agreed. They stressed that naanbais are small business owners providing an essential, everyday food item for urban and low-income households.
What the Strike Means for Consumers and Authorities
If the strike goes ahead and is widely observed, residents of Peshawar could face shortages of naan and roti from local tandoors. This would particularly affect families who rely on buying fresh bread daily rather than baking at home.
For the authorities, the strike highlights the need to balance consumer protection with the genuine cost pressures faced by small food businesses. Without affordable flour and a realistic, updated price list, it will be difficult to maintain stable supply without pushing naanbais out of business.
The association’s move is also a reminder of how policy decisions in one province—such as Punjab’s flour supply restrictions—can have knock-on effects in another. How quickly and effectively the relevant governments respond to these demands will determine whether the strike is short-lived protest or the beginning of a deeper standoff between naanbais and the administration.
