Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to ensure uninterrupted availability of edible items to the people across the country. He was chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Monday regarding the availability of essential items and ensuring stability in their prices. The Prime Minister directed to take firm action against the hoarders so that the supply chain of essential items could be maintained. For this purpose he stressed for greater coordination amongst the federation and provinces.
The Prime Minister stressed that it is the primary responsibility of the federal and provincial governments to ensure provision of essential items to the people without any interruption and at low cost. He said barriers in the way of import of basic commodities should be removed on priority basis. He directed to set up special committees to improve supply chain and stabilize the prices of essential items.
The Prime Minister said there is no shortage of essential commodities in the country including that of wheat. Shehbaz Sharif directed the provinces and administrative units to present a concrete strategy in the next review meeting regarding ‘Sasta Ramadan Bazaars’ and the supply of essential commodities at cheap prices during the holy month of Ramadan.
He said technology should be employed to ensure stability of prices in Ramadan bazaars. Adequate security measures should also be put in place in these bazaars. He said the number of Sasta bazaars should be increased in the most populated cities.
The meeting was informed that there is no shortage of food items in the country and adequate steps are being taken to deliver wheat, pulses, edible oil and other commodities to the people.
The meeting was informed that the federal government is providing wheat to the provinces as per their requirement. It was assured that stern action will be taken against those who will create artificial shortage of commodities.
The meeting was further informed that mobile phone applications are being used in some provinces for provision of basic food items to the people at cheap rates.
The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for National Food Protection and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the chief secretaries of four provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, the chief commission of Islamabad, and senior officials.
