PM Directs To Assure Uninterrupted Supply Of Food Items At Low Prices

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the concerned ministries to take timely steps to ensure uninterrupted supply of food items to the people at low rates during the coming Ramadan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a review meeting on Friday regarding the availability and prices of basic commodities, especially wheat and sugar.

Federal Ministers Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Senator Shibli Faraz, Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Syed Fakhr Imam, Ali Amin Gandapur, Advisor Dr Ishrat Hussain, Special Assistants Muhammad Usman Dar, Dr Sania Nishtar, MD Utility Stores and senior officers participated.

Provincial Food Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Dr Salman Shah, Provincial Chief Secretaries attended the meeting through video link.

The Finance Minister apprised the meeting that in the light of the sensitive price index of the last seven weeks, Poultry prices have begun to fall. In the next few weeks, the prices of vegetable ghee will also start coming down.

The meeting was also apprised of the steps taken for the release of wheat. The participants were also apprised of the ECC’s decision on sugar imports and its implications for the reduction in the price of sugar. He directed to take necessary steps in this regard.

The Prime Minister said that before the arrival of Ramadan, the common man should be assured of the availability of these commodities and reduction in prices. Accordingly, a briefing was also given regarding the preparation for import.

The participants were informed that the market has stabilized due to the government’s decision to import wheat. The meeting focused on the increase in production, especially in terms of stabilization of wheat and sugar prices.

The need to take steps to increase production was emphasized. The Prime Minister directed to formulate a comprehensive and effective plan to increase production in view of the food needs of the country’s population so as to implement the roadmap of food security. While the country can be self-sufficient in food needs, the cost of imports should be reduced.

The Prime Minister said that the utility stores must ensure uninterrupted availability of these items and keep a constant watch on prices till Ramadan.