Differences emerged within the federal cabinet on Tuesday over the reason behind the rising food prices as Prime Minister Imran Khan held hoarders responsible for the crisis.
During a meeting of the cabinet, prime minister’s aide Nadeem Afzal Chan blamed Adviser to the PM on Accountability and Interior Mirza Shahzad Akbar for the failure to curb the increase in sugar prices.
He maintained that the adviser had been unable to take action in line with the recommendations made in the sugar inquiry commission’s report.
He noted that the prices of sugar had jacked up even further after the findings of the commission were made public. “Why were these people [sugar manufacturers] targeted in the report if it made no difference?”
Chan added that he was willing to assist the revenant authorities in binging down food prices, particularly those of wheat and sugar.
The participants of the meeting also asked Federal Food Security Minister Fakhar Imam to present a timeline as to when would the wheat situation would improve in the country so that they could inform the public about it.
The prime minister, who presided over the meeting, told ministers to make it their top mission to bring down the prices and give their suggestions for this purpose.
He asked the cabinet members with a an agricultural background, including Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Khusro Bakhtiar, Imam and Chan to play an effective role in accomplishing this mission.
The premier blamed hoarders for the rising food prices and pledged that they would not be spared.
He stressed the need for monitoring the supply and demand situation apart from taking measures to rein the soaring prices.
The cabinet members were informed that measures were being taken in line with the sugar inquiry commission’s report and an increase in the production of around 200,000 tons of the sweetener on a monthly basis had been witnessed.
The prime minister sought a comprehensive report on the sugar and wheat situation at the next cabinet meeting.
During the meeting, the premier expressed his displeasure over opposition parties targeting his wife in their speeches, noting that she had nothing to do with politics.
PM Imran also instructed the cabinet members to refrain from using any derogatory language against female political rivals.
The meeting was informed that the PTI had decided to stage a public gathering in Swat.
Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar, who head the National Command and Operation Centre on Covid-19, stressed the need for following coronavirus SOPs at the gathering.
Separately, Prime Minister Imran Khan while chairing a meeting to review the prices and availability of wheat, sugar and daily commodities, directed provincial administrations to ensure strict action hoarders.
He also ordered them to ensure sufficient supply of flour and sugar was available at Utility Stores across the country.
The participants of the meeting were informed that the Punjab government had increased the release of wheat from 16,000 tons to 20,000 tons on a daily basis, which would be further increased to 25,000 tons in a couple of days. They were further told that the Sindh government would start the formal release of wheat within the next few days.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ