Wheat, egg prices come down in local market

Finance secretary praised coordinated efforts of provincial governments

ISLAMABAD:

Prices of wheat and eggs have decreased due to coordinated and consolidated efforts of provincial governments, said Finance Secretary Kamran Afzal.

He was briefing the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), which met on Monday with Minister of Finance and Revenue Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the chair to review the price trend of essential commodities, especially wheat, sugar, eggs and edible oil.

The finance minister directed the provincial governments and relevant departments to maintain the momentum of strict price monitoring for the provision of basic commodities at affordable prices across the country.

Minister for National Food Security and Research Fakhar Imam briefed the committee about the current wheat stock in Pakistan and assured it that all possible measures would be taken to ensure uninterrupted supply of the commodity at affordable prices.

Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar projected an increase in sugar production in 2021 due to improved sugarcane crushing, which would eventually lead to a decrease in prices.

He also briefed the committee about the steps being taken to control prices of edible oil and ghee. He praised the Punjab government for its efforts aimed at minimising the role of middlemen.

A representative of the Punjab government informed meeting participants that strict action had been taken against the middlemen in sugarcane market as directed by the committee.

He added that the price of sugar was currently stable in the province, however, in some areas, a marginal hike was noted due to fog and other weather conditions.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2021.

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