Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting to control prices of daily use food items today (Monday). It was decided during the meeting to reduce the taxes on essential food items to provide relief to common man.
Key Decisions like evaluating price setting mechanism, curbing smuggling and hoarding and doubling the wheat procurement targets for the ongoing year, were taken to lower the prices of daily use food items.
Asad Umar, Khusro Bakhtiar, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Firdous Ashiq Awan and some other members of Cabinet attended the meeting.
The matter of tax reduction on daily use food items will be raised in Economic Coordination committee for decision. To lower the wheat rate it was decided to double the wheat procurement targets for the ongoing year and immediate suggestions are sought from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkwa (KP) Governments.
The commerce division was directed to consult with stake holders for fixing ghee prices, another basic commodity item- so that the relief of low prices in the international markets be conveyed to the masses.
It was decided in the meeting that the sugar advisory board will conduct a third party evaluation to fix sugar prices, that recently saw an unprecedented surge.
The meeting decided to ensure a complete curb on smuggling of commodities’ items from eastern and western borders along with a stern action against elements involved in hoarding these items.
The prime minister directed the officials to ensure a proper estimate of the demand and supply and the stocks of the basic commodities. “Prior arrangements shall be made for the provision of basic commodities to the masses,” he said adding that special attention be given towards curbing smuggling and hoarding.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said that a possible relief in the prices of basic commodities and bringing stability in their supply is the top priority of the incumbent government. “Our prime focus is to provide relief to the poor segment of the society,” he said and added that they would go all out to ensure relief to the masses.
He also conveyed directives to the provincial governments to mull over recommendations for lowering the prices of the commodities. “A policy guideline should be issued in view of these recommendations,” he said.
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