Strike brings routine food services to a standstill, severely affecting small eateries, tea stalls, and restaurants that rely on tandoori bread
RAWALPINDI: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-Nov 5th, 2025) All tandoors across Rawalpindi remained closed on Monday as Naan Bais — traditional bread makers — observed a citywide strike to protest the unprecedented hike in flour and fine flour (maida) prices.
The strike brought routine food services to a standstill, severely affecting small eateries, tea stalls, and restaurants that rely on tandoori bread. Many citizens, including office workers and students, were forced to leave home without breakfast, while bakeries saw a sharp increase in sales of bread and buns as alternatives.
According to the Naan Bai Association, the price of a 50-kg red flour sack has surged from Rs5,500 to Rs10,500 over the past 18 months, while fine flour (maida) now costs Rs12,000 per sack, up from Rs6,200.
President of the Naan Bai Association, Shafiq Qureshi, said that selling roti for Rs14 is no longer sustainable given the rising cost of flour, electricity, gas, rent, and labour. “Due to gas supply shortages, we are forced to purchase gas cylinders for Rs15,000 each, yet our bills still amount to hundreds of thousands of rupees,” he added.
He also criticized the Punjab Enforcement Regulatory Authority (PERA) for imposing heavy fines ranging between Rs50,000 and Rs100,000, saying such penalties have devastated their businesses.
The Naan Bai Association has demanded immediate relief measures from the government to stabilize flour prices and ensure affordable gas supply, warning that the strike could continue if their concerns are not addressed.
