Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Syed Shibli Faraz has said the government has evolved a comprehensive mechanism to bring down the prices of essential items and ensure their provision across Pakistan.
Briefing media in Islamabad on Tuesday about the decisions taken in themeeting of the federal cabinet, he said it will be ensured that essential commodities be available at village level and there should be no shortage of edible items. He said this issue will be resolved in coming days. He said the cabinet discussed this matter in detail.
Regarding availability of wheat, Shibli Faraz said sufficient stock of the commodity is present in the country to meet requirements of the people. He said public and private sectors were allowed to import wheat, which has arrived in the country and more is coming in. He said it was unfortunate that Sindh Government ill intentionally halted release of wheat, which resulted in price hike. He, however, welcomed recent decision of the Sindh Government to start releasing wheat, which will help control prices of the vital staple food of the people.
The Minister also dispelled the impression that Roosevelt Hotel in New York owned by Pakistan International Airlines has been sold out. He said Pakistan has acquired complete ownership of the hotel by paying off its liabilities of about 1,28,000 dollars. He said there is no plan to sell Roosevelt Hotel as it is a national asset. He said the cabinet was informed that PIA has successfully increased its revenue.
During the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the ministers demanded emergency measures against the rise in inflation.
The Prime Minister assured the ministers of urgent measures to reduce inflation and said that the government would soon start implementing the action plan.
All government machinery will be mobilized to provide relief to the common man. Cabinet members said provincial governments and district administrations must ensure the availability of goods.
Imran Khan said that now our entire focus will be on controlling inflation. I am monitoring the whole situation myself, le’s see what the mafia does now.
During the meeting, Sheikh Rashid apprised the cabinet of the concern and said that flour could become more expensive in November-December. Expressing his concern, he said that it should be explained why drugs became expensive.
He said that people complain to us because medicines are expensive.
