Govt cracks whip on wheat hoarders

CS orders confiscation, selling of wheat, if found hoarded

LAHORE:

The Punjab chief secretary has directed the authorities concerned to confiscate wheat flour stocked at the mills involved in hoarding and sell it in the market at official rates.

Chief Secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik issued the order during an important meeting jointly chaired by Punjab Minister for Industries Mian Aslam Iqbal, which was held to review action against hoarders of flour and sugar. Commissioner Lahore Division Danish Afzal, CCPO Lahore Zulfiqar Hameed and other officers concerned attended the meeting, while other divisional commissioners, RPOs, deputy commissioners and DPOs participated through video link.

The meeting decided to carry out physical verification of stocks in flour and sugar mills and take stern action in case of non-cooperation by the millers. The chief secretary asked the administrative officers to send verification reports on stocks as soon as possible. He said that action under the anti-hoarding law should be taken against the mills that are not supplying products to the market in accordance with their stocks. These mills’ stocks must be confiscated and sold in the market at government rates within 24 hours, he added.

The chief secretary said that it was the responsibility of the district administration to ensure the sale of flour and sugar at the official rates and any administrative officer not providing relief to the people would be removed from his post.

The meeting also reviewed shifting of cattle markets out of the cities for Eidul Azha.

The Punjab Food Department recently issued wheat to flour mills under the Wheat Release Policy 2020-21 after which it was hoped that the price issue would finally be resolved.

Cooperation with China

Meanwhile, in a separate development, a meeting of the Primary Joint Working Group on Security of Chinese Citizens, presided over by Additional Chief Secretary Home Momin Agha, discussed various steps to improve the security of citizens of the neighbouring country working on CPEC and other projects in the province and to enhance cooperation between China and Pakistan to control coronavirus.

The meeting was attended by Chinese Consul General Long Dingbin, Foreign Ministry Director General for China Mudassar Tipu, DIG Special Branch Abdul Karim, Additional Secretary Health Dr Asif Tufail, Additional Secretary Chinese Security Arshad Manzoor, Chinese Consulate officials in Lahore and representative of law enforcement agencies.

Speaking at the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary Home Momin Agha said that in the current situation, the security of CPEC and other projects continued with the cooperation of China is not only limited to the protection of Chinese people but promoting bilateral relations.

He said that all possible steps would be taken to provide foolproof security to the Chinese people in the province.

Agha said that China, with the help of its medical experts, doctors and paramedics, has managed to control a pandemic like coronavirus in a short period. He said that Pakistan, especially the Punjab government, wants to benefit from the experience and expertise of Beijing in efforts to overcome the pandemic.

He also issued instructions regarding coronavirus tests of security officials and private guards deployed for Chinese nationals.

The meeting decided that the Chinese Consulate would ensure that Chinese nationals extend cooperation to law enforcement agencies in security measures, besides complying with the coronavirus SOPs and security protocols.

Expressing satisfaction over the security arrangements, Chinese Consul General Long Dingbin praised the professionalism of the federal government and its agencies, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan Army, Punjab government and its departments.

He said that China stood by Pakistan in the fight against coronavirus and in the light of its experience would continue to provide it technical assistance in the medical field and all kinds of cooperation.

The Chinese consul general said that on the instructions of President Xi Jinping, China was providing medical equipment, protective gear and medicines to Pakistan to control the coronavirus. He hoped that Pakistan and China would work together to successfully overcome the pandemic.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2020.