Stern action be taken against hoarders, profiteers: Shehbaz
Asks provinces to submit strategy on subsidized essential items during Ramazan
ISLAMABAD (Online): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while directing to ensure availability of edible items has said stern action be taken against the hoarders so that the supply chain of essential commodities could be kept maintained in the country.
He stressed that coordination and harmony among the federation and provinces should be improved.
He was chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Monday regarding the availability of essential items and ensuring stability in their prices.
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.
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.
He directed to set up special committees to make the supply of essential commodities effective besides brining improvement in prices. The notification in this regard will be issued today.
The meeting was attended by fiancé ministers Ishaq Dar, Tariq Bashir Cheema, Ahsan Iqbal chief secretaries of all the four provinces, AJI and Gilgit-Baltistan, chief commissioner capital territory Islamabad and the concerned officials.
