Islamabad: Today, the Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) delegation, led by Central Chairman Asim Raza Ahmed and Tax Committee Chairman Farrukh Shahzad, met with a special high-level committee in Islamabad. The meeting, directed by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, aimed to address the flour mills’ ongoing strike and the impact of the newly imposed withholding tax.

According to Press Information Department, the committee included Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue Amjad Zubair Tiwana. The PFMA delegation presented their concerns about the withholding tax and its repercussions on both the industry and the public.

The members of the committee acknowledged the issues raised and committed to collaborating on a solution, promising a positive resolution by July 22, 2024. In response to this assurance and in respect for the sanctity of Muharram ul Haram, the PFMA has postponed the nationwide strike until July 22, 2024. Flour mills across the country will resume normal operations starting tomorrow, ensuring the continued supply of wheat products to the market.

The PFMA expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the committee members for their efforts and also acknowledged the special cooperation of the Chief Minister of Punjab and the Minister of Food Punjab.