Staff Reporter Islamabad
The National Price Monitoring Committee commended the Provincial government of Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration for daily release of wheat which has stabilized the prices of wheat flour bag.
The Federal Minister for Food Security stressed upon the need to start daily release of wheat at the Government notified price to ease pressure on prices of wheat flour throughout the country.
This was stated by Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Syed Fakhar Imam while chairing of the NPMC.
Economic Adviser Finance Division briefed the NPMC about the increase in weekly SPI by 1.21% as compared to consecutive decline over last two weeks. Prices of 21 items remained stable whereas 08 items registered a decline during the week under review.
While taking stock of the situation, the NPMC observed that price of 20 kg bag of wheat flour was Rs.1100 in Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory due to daily release of wheat at Government specified price.
However, the prices of wheat flour bag in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar were in the range between 1300-1460 per bag.
The Secretary M/o NFS&R briefed the NPMC about sufficient availability of stock of wheat with the Provinces and PASSCO.
The NPMC took strict notice of the price differential and urged the Provincial governments of Sindh, KP and Baluchistan to initiate daily releases on top priority.
The Secretary Food, Government of Sindh informed NPMC that Government of Sindh will start daily release of wheat at the Government notified price w.e.f. 16 October, 2021.
The Secretary, M/o Industries and Production briefed the NPMC about start of voluntary crushing of the sugarcane in some districts of Sindh by 25th October 2021.
He also updated the Committee about the priority of the Government to begin sugarcane crushing by first week of November, 2021in the Punjab province. The sugarcane production is expected to be in greater quantity as compared to the last year.
Moreover, the imported sugar is being provided to Sasta Sahulat Bazaars and Utility Stores Corporation at subsidized price of at Rs. 90 per kg in order to provide relief to the consumers.
