Restoring roti price

It shows Prime Minister Imran Khan cares for the common people. On the instructions of the PM, the federal cabinet announced on July 30 that the prices of roti and naan would be reduced to the level that prevailed about a few months ago. In Pakistan, roti and naan are the staple for the majority of the people. Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information, said the PM had called a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee the following day where decisions to reduce gas rates, especially for tandoorwalas, and to cut atta (wheat flour) price would be made as part of the plan to provide the people roti, naan and other food items at affordable prices.

At present, naan is selling at Rs12 to R15 and roti at Rs10 to Rs12 in various cities of the country. The prices rose after the increase in gas tariff and the price of wheat flour. Earlier, naan was priced at Rs8 to Rs10 and roti at Rs7 to Rs8. Traders, however, tried to make it appear that food prices were rising as a result of the petroleum price hike and the erosion in the value of rupee against the US dollar. This was pulling wool over the eyes of the people. This year Pakistan has a wheat stock of 27.9 million tonnes, which is more than the national requirement of 25.8 million tonnes.

It is the unscrupulous middlemen who mainly drive prices upwards with the aim of reaping huge profits. They buy wheat and other commodities at low prices, hoard them and later sell at exorbitantly high prices. In this regard the FBR chairman’s efforts aimed at documentation of the economy are admirable. The documentation of the economy will ensure fair trade practices and proper taxation. The PM and his team know food prices play an important role in running the affairs of state in a tranquil manner.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2019.

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