ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday presided over a meeting in Islamabad regarding the availability of essential items and ensuring stability in their prices.
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.
It 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.
وزیراعظم محمد شہبازشریف کی زیر صدارت بنیادی اشیاۓ خور و نوش کی دستیابی اور ان کی قیمتوں میں استحکام یقینی بنانے کے حوالے سے اہم اجلاس
عوام کو بنیادی اشیاۓ ضروریہ کی بلا تعطل اور کم قیمت میں فراہمی وفاقی اور صوبائی حکومتوں کی اولین ذمے داری ہے : وزیراعظم pic.twitter.com/H1GxfR3gTq— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) February 13, 2023
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.
In his remarks, the prime minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure uninterrupted availability of edible items to the people across the Country.
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.
Shahbaz Sharif 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 that barriers in the way of import of basic commodities should be removed on priority basis.
The prime minister directed to set up special committees to improve supply chain and stabilize the prices of essential items.
In addition, he 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.
The prime minister said that technology should be employed to ensure stability of prices in Ramadan bazaars. He said that adequate security measures should also be put in place in these bazaars. He further said that the number of Sasta bazaars should be increased in the most populated cities.
