Latest Update — October 27, 2026
As of October 27, 2026, the government has still not announced the date from which the new packaging rule will take effect in shops — 20kg flour bags therefore remain on sale until the government notifies the effective date, after which only 10kg packs will be sold across Punjab. The decision itself stands unchanged from the October 23 meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Meanwhile, enforcement on the smuggling side has stepped up: officials in Bahawalpur Division have been directed to intensify inspections and take legal action against unauthorised wheat and flour transportation, alongside the strict interprovincial border monitoring ordered at the meeting. The same meeting also directed that the sale of loose (open) milk be regulated under hygiene principles, and that wheat-sowing targets be met on government land and on land under the Numberdar, Ghori Pal and Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar schemes.
Background: The October 23 Decision
The Punjab government has decided to discontinue 20kg flour bags across the province and make 10kg packs the only standard size sold in the market. The decision was taken at a high-level video-link meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on October 23, 2026, which was attended by commissioners and deputy commissioners from across Punjab.
According to officials, the move is part of a wider effort to improve food-supply management and curb the smuggling of wheat and flour. The chief minister ordered strict monitoring of interprovincial borders to stop the illegal movement of wheat and flour out of the province. The date from which the new packaging rule will take effect in shops has not been announced yet.
This decision follows the government’s recent flour-market measures, including the Rs 10 billion flour subsidy approved earlier this month to keep atta prices under control.
Key Details
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Decision | 20kg flour bags discontinued across Punjab |
| New standard size | Only 10kg flour packs will be sold |
| Decided on | October 23, 2026 |
| Meeting chaired by | Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif |
| Attended by | Commissioners and deputy commissioners (video link) |
| Main reason | Better food-supply management and stopping wheat/flour smuggling |
| Border monitoring | Strict surveillance ordered at interprovincial borders |
| Effective date in shops | Not announced yet |
Other Decisions Taken in the Meeting
- Wheat-sowing targets: All deputy commissioners were directed to meet their districts’ wheat-sowing targets and ensure wheat is cultivated on government land.
- Cultivation on scheme land: Wheat will be grown on land covered under the Numberdar, Ghori Pal and Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar schemes.
- Qeemat App upgrade: The price-monitoring app will be upgraded to track and stabilise food prices. Officials briefed that prices of 15 essential items were stable and 10 items were on a downward trend.
- Ramadan preparations: District administrations will ensure bananas, apples and dates are available at controlled prices during Ramadan, with stocks arranged according to local demand and cold-storage capacity.
- Mandi Mart: The chief minister directed officials to speed up Punjab’s first Mandi Mart for fruits and vegetables in Kahna and plan similar facilities in other parts of the province.
- Market waste and dehydration projects: A “Transforming Market Waste into Wealth” initiative and a PAMRA dehydration project were also approved to improve off-season availability of produce.
What This Means for Consumers and Shopkeepers
Households that usually buy a 20kg bag will now buy two 10kg packs instead. The government expects smaller standard packs to make flour distribution easier to track, reduce hoarding and make it harder to move large quantities across provincial borders illegally. Flour mills and distributors will have to adjust their packing lines to the 10kg size once the implementation date is notified. Consumers should follow official announcements for the exact date the change takes effect in their area, and report overcharging through the Qeemat App.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 20kg flour bags banned in Punjab?
The Punjab government has decided to discontinue 20kg flour bags and sell only 10kg packs in the market. The implementation date has not been announced yet.
Why is the government withdrawing 20kg flour bags?
To improve food-supply management and curb the smuggling of wheat and flour across provincial borders, which pushes up prices inside Punjab.
Will flour prices change because of this decision?
The decision changes the pack size, not the official price. The government says the Qeemat App is being upgraded to monitor prices, and subsidised flour measures, including the Rs 10 billion subsidy, remain in place.
When will only 10kg bags be available in shops?
No date has been announced yet. The change will be implemented through district administrations once the formal notification is issued.