Zubair Qureshi
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday promised the masses to closely monitor the prices of essential food items and keep them in common man’s access.
During a surprise visit to Utility Store in Sector G-9/4, Karachi Company, the prime minister noted with satisfaction that price of 15-kg flour bag would be offered at Rs 800 under the package announced recently and reiterated the government would see if it could be further reduced.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistant to PM on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan and Chairman of the Utility Store Corporation (USC) Zulqarnain Khan were also accompanying the premiere on the occasion.
The prime minister directed the USC chairman Zulqarnain Khan to ensure all the necessary nutritious items are mixed in flour being offered at the utility store.
On the occasion, the prime minister also he launched Rs7 billion package meant to provide relief to the poor through USC.
The package, which was approved by the premier earlier, includes lowering the prices of essential edible items, including flour, cooking oil, rice and pulses by offering subsidies.
The prime minister was briefed by Chairman USC Zulqarnain Ali Khan and Managing Director Umar Lodhi about the stocks of essential commodities and their availability at USC outlets across the country. The officials told the prime minister that technology was also being used to ensure the success of the relief programme.
On the occasion, the premier announced that a Ration Card scheme will also be introduced soon which would enable lower-income people to buy commodities worth up to Rs3,000.
He further said the utility relief package would not only provide affordable commodities to the public but will also help in keeping a check on “inflationary trends” in the open market.
The prime minister’s visit to the Utility Store came as a pleasant surprise for the residents of the federal capital in common and the Sector G-9 in particular. Such visits serve to keep public trust in their leaders alive, said Abdul Ghaffar a resident of nearby sector G-9/3. “This also shows our rulers are well aware of the difficulties people are faced with,” he further said.
Ayesha Bibi who had come to the utility store for shopping though faced problems due to Prime Minister’s unannounced visit and protocol yet she expressed her joy at his visit to poor man’s store. “Pakistani people voted Imran Khan into power and it is quite reassuring to see him inquiring of the relief being given to the poor people at the utility store,” she said. She however prayed that after PM’s return from the utility store, the store would not run out of the stocks of essential items being offered at discounted rate.
