PM Imran wants relief for people after petrol price cut
Imran says a special cell can be set up for resolution of construction-related issues
Imran says a special cell can be set up for resolution of construction-related issues PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed all the provincial chief secretaries to devise a joint strategy for ensuring the trickling down effects of government measures.
“The government’s objective to bring down petroleum prices was to provide maximum possible relief to the public,” he said while presiding over a meeting to review steps for reducing prices of essential commodities.
The meeting was attended by National Food Security Minister Syed Fakhar Imam, Adviser on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, SAPM on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill, and senior officials. The chief secretaries of provinces attended the meeting through a video link, according to an official handout.
The prime minister said the specter of adulteration of foodstuff had been affecting the health of children, aged and the young alike.
“In the past, the grave issue was neglected,” he said, adding that availability of pure items of daily use reflected good governance so the special focus should be made in this regard.
Imran also directed the National Price Control Committee to take all necessary measures to ensure the provision of flour at a suitable price.
The chief secretaries briefed the premier about the steps to reduce prices of daily use items and ensuring relief to the public after the reduction of petroleum prices. They also apprised about the administrative action taken against hoarding and adulteration of food in their respective provinces.
The huddle was informed that positive results were being achieved after the government approved inter-provincial transportation of wheat, however, further steps were afoot to bring down flour price.
Meanwhile, the premier also chaired a meeting to review the measures taken for boosting the construction sector and construction of houses for low-income groups under the Naya Pakistan Housing programme.
“The housing scheme is the most important project of the incumbent government in terms of economic flow that will enable the development of many allied industries,” PM Imran said, adding that the government was providing assistance of Rs30 billion for the completion of the project.
In view of the coronavirus situation, the project’ chairman said that a think tank comprising experts in the field of construction has been constituted. The think tank has made recommendations on the development of the construction sector, especially the management of financial resources for the construction of houses for low-income people and the method to be adopted in this regard.
With regard to the incentives, it was informed that the fees for transfer and registration of the property have been significantly reduced, which has been implemented in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The premier directed that the recommendations of the think tank be finalised in consultation with the commercial banks to ensure the creation of financial resources for housing projects under the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme.
Under the scheme, a special cell can be made consisting of representatives of the SBP, authorities concerned should be constituted to improve the coordination and ensure fast track resolution of construction-related issues, he added.
The meeting was attended by Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Anwar Ali Haider and senior officers. While SBP Governor Raza Baqir, former finance minister Shaukat Tareen, Arif Habib, Mudassar Khan, Aqeel Karim Dhedi, Hassan Bakhshi and others attended the meeting through a video link. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed all the provincial chief secretaries to devise a joint strategy for ensuring the trickling down effects of government measures.
“The government’s objective to bring down petroleum prices was to provide maximum possible relief to the public,” he said while presiding over a meeting to review steps for reducing prices of essential commodities.
The meeting was attended by National Food Security Minister Syed Fakhar Imam, Adviser on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, SAPM on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill, and senior officials. The chief secretaries of provinces attended the meeting through a video link, according to an official handout.
The prime minister said the specter of adulteration of foodstuff had been affecting the health of children, aged and the young alike.
“In the past, the grave issue was neglected,” he said, adding that availability of pure items of daily use reflected good governance so the special focus should be made in this regard.
Imran also directed the National Price Control Committee to take all necessary measures to ensure the provision of flour at a suitable price.
The chief secretaries briefed the premier about the steps to reduce prices of daily use items and ensuring relief to the public after the reduction of petroleum prices. They also apprised about the administrative action taken against hoarding and adulteration of food in their respective provinces.
The huddle was informed that positive results were being achieved after the government approved inter-provincial transportation of wheat, however, further steps were afoot to bring down flour price.
Meanwhile, the premier also chaired a meeting to review the measures taken for boosting the construction sector and construction of houses for low-income groups under the Naya Pakistan Housing programme.
“The housing scheme is the most important project of the incumbent government in terms of economic flow that will enable the development of many allied industries,” PM Imran said, adding that the government was providing assistance of Rs30 billion for the completion of the project.
In view of the coronavirus situation, the project’ chairman said that a think tank comprising experts in the field of construction has been constituted. The think tank has made recommendations on the development of the construction sector, especially the management of financial resources for the construction of houses for low-income people and the method to be adopted in this regard.
With regard to the incentives, it was informed that the fees for transfer and registration of the property have been significantly reduced, which has been implemented in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The premier directed that the recommendations of the think tank be finalised in consultation with the commercial banks to ensure the creation of financial resources for housing projects under the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme.
Under the scheme, a special cell can be made consisting of representatives of the SBP, authorities concerned should be constituted to improve the coordination and ensure fast track resolution of construction-related issues, he added.
The meeting was attended by Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Anwar Ali Haider and senior officers. While SBP Governor Raza Baqir, former finance minister Shaukat Tareen, Arif Habib, Mudassar Khan, Aqeel Karim Dhedi, Hassan Bakhshi and others attended the meeting through a video link. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)