ISLAMABAD
Adviser to the PM on Finance Shaukat Tarin has said that the government is taking all possible steps to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities to people across the country.
Chairing the National Price Monitoring Committee meeting on Wednesday, the advisor directed the Ministry of Industries and Production to take measures to control the prices of edible oil and adjust the rates according to the prices at the international market. Tarin expressed satisfaction over the stability in the sugar prices in the market.
The secretary finance briefed the NPMC about the weekly SPI situation which has decreased by 0.67% during the week under review, said a press release issued here. While reviewing the price trend of essential commodities, the secretary finance apprised the prices of eight essential commodities registered decline whereas prices of 23 items remained stable during the last week, he added.
He also apprised the meeting that prices of essential commodities tomatoes, onion, potatoes, chicken, sugar registered significant decline during the week as compared to the same period of last year. He further updated NPMC that the prices of the wheat flour bags remained consistent at Rs1,100 per 20 kg due to the proactive measures of the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) governments and ICT administration. The daily release of wheat by all the provincial governments will further ease out wheat prices at national level, he added.
The Punjab chief secretary apprised that sufficient stocks of Wheat are available and released accordingly.
The adviser finance commended the efforts of the governments of the Punjab, KP and Islamabad administration and advised all provincial governments to ensure that all released Wheat is being converted into flour and available in market at government price.
While reviewing the price of sugar in the country, the secretary finance informed that prices are decreasing in the country due to proactive measures of the government. The new stocks of sugar are arriving in the market which will further lower the prices.
While reviewing the prices of edible oil, the NMPC observed that the increase in prices of edible oil in the global market has affected the local prices.
The adviser asked the Ministry of Industries and Production to take measures to control the prices of edible oil and adjust the rates according to the prices in the international market especially when international prices are declining.
He further advised to make efforts for the availability of strategic reserves of edible oil.
While reviewing the production of pulses in the country, it was informed that Moog Pulse production has increased as compared to last year.
The adviser advised to increase the production of pulses in the country and thereby reduce the burden on imports.
On the stock position of fertilizers, it was informed that prices have begun to decrease due to taking effective administrative measures.
The NPMC observed that Sastaa and Sahulat Bazaars in Punjab, KP are offering essential goods at subsidized prices.
Tarin commended the efforts of the governments of the Punjab, KP and Islamabad administration in providing key items at discounted prices through arranging Sasta Bazaars. He expressed satisfaction on prices of commodities in Sastaa Bazaars in Punjab, KP, Balochistan and ICT and further directed to establish such bazaars in more cities to provide maximum relief to the people.
Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib and other senior officers participated in the meeting.
