Amraiz Khan
As the poultry products including chicken and eggs prices are skyrocketing with every passing day Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan Tuesday came up with bizarre excuses to shift the blame on opposition and cold weather.
Talking to the media, Firdous alleged that Hamza Shehbaz was controlling the poultry market from the jail and that’s why the prices of the meat has been soared to new highs. The chicken meat is being sold from Rs300 per kg to Rs360 per kg in the country while the eggs prices are shattering all records in the country as it has reached from Rs200 per dozen to Rs220 per dozen all around the country. However, Firdous has left the masses flabbergasted when she suggested that the eggs prices were increasing due to the severe cold weather as the consumption of the eggs have increased. She also claimed that opposition leader in Punjab Assembly was behind the increase in the prices of chicken as he is pulling the strings from the jail to monopolies the market. It was not the first time the blame for the poultry prices increase has been put on Hamza for his business interests in the industry as when he was in the government it was also usual blame put on him by the opposition. But even him being in opposition and even in jail the former opposition who is now in the office still resorted to same allegations raising questions on their ability and claims of corruption-free practices and good governance. Her comments left people bemused as it was not the first time that cold has gripped the country but it is the very first time that the eggs prices have hit a double century.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government promulgated Prevention of Hoarding Ordinance 2020 to discourage hoarding of essential commodities by traders, aiming at creating artificial shortage and raise prices. Under the ordinance, the district price committees are being activated to control the hoarding and illegal profiteering. The Punjab Price Control Authority will be established soon.
Special Assistant to Punjab Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan stated while addressing a press conference during her visit to Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Headquarter here on Tuesday. Chairman Punjab Food Authority Umer Tanveer Butt and Director General Punjab Food Authority Rafaqat Ali were also present on the occasion.
Dr Firdous said that on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, the teams of PFA are actively working round the clock against adulteration mafia and strictly monitoring the food supply chains ranging from small vendors to luxury hotels. She said that the presence of adulteration mafia was the biggest challenge in the way of healthy Punjab however, during the last two years the government had taken historical initiatives to ensure provision of hygienic food to the citizens.
She said that the government is all set to take strict action against adulteration mafia. She said that milk testing labs have started their operation at the entry and exit points of the city whereby citizens are able to get milk tested for free. She said that special bike squads have been brought out for checking of food points at motorways. She said that PFA is taking every possible step to materialize the dream of healthy Punjab into reality. After the success of pilot project in Lahore, the government is working on the legislation of pasteurization for the provision of pure milk.
