Work harder to provide relief from inflation: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to work harder and provide maximum relief to the people by taking sustainable steps, saying that he is fully aware of the sufferings of the common man due to inflation.

“Price control committees have been mobilised at district and tehsil level to control inflation,” Premier Imran said during a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal and Punjab IG Rao Sardar Ali Khan were also present.

The move comes after the government jacked up petrol price and electricity tariff earlier this month.

Petrol has reached an alarming level of Rs137.79 per litre while the electricity rates have been increased by Rs2.97 per unit. Similarly, the utility stores, which provide essential commodities at prices lower than that in the markets, had also announced an across-the-board increase in their rates.

PM Imran said indiscriminate crackdown on profiteers and hoarders would continue.

The prime minister said that the law is equal for all, adding that the government is making all-out efforts to ensure supremacy of law in the country.

Imran Khan was briefed on various administrative and development issues of the province. An update on the ongoing development and public welfare schemes was also presented.

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He directed the authorities concerned to complete all ongoing development projects in Punjab within stipulated timeframe to facilitate the masses.

Separately, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that after Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, every family in Punjab will now be able to get up to Rs1 million every year through Sehat Insaf Card.

In a tweet, he said through this extensive facility quality treatment will now be available to everyone from the poorest to the middle class.

Big relief, he said, would be given on health, education and the four basic necessities – flour, sugar, pulses and ghee.

Fawad said the process of issuance of Sehat Insaf Cards would start in December and by March the whole Punjab would have these cards.

He said that the card holders will be free to use them at any doctor's clinic or hospital of their choice.

“Not only public but private doctors and hospitals will also be available for free of cost treatment.”