CM orders more price control steps

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has directed the price control committee, as well as the provincial administration, to continue taking steps for stabilising the sugar prices, adding that unrelenting stern action against those selling the commodity at exorbitant rates must also be ensured.

While issuing instructions from Saudi Arabia, the chief minister asked the administration officials to visit markets to monitor sugar prices while continuing the crackdown against hoarders.

The government was taking every step to ensure availability, as well as the sale of sugar, at the fixed rate, the CM said, while reiterating that protection of consumers’ rights was the responsibility of the government. The exploitation of the common people would not be tolerated and every step was being taken to curb the mafias involved in such activities, he maintained, stressing that unjustified increase in sugar prices would not be allowed.

Chief Minister Buzdar asserted that the interest of the people was dear to the government and no one would be allowed to violate the laws.

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He instructed the food, agriculture and industries departments to make coordinated efforts while exploring every option to stop the unjustified increase in sugar prices.

Unjustified price increase and hoarding won’t be tolerated by the government as there is no shortage of sugar and ample reserves are available in the province, the CM added.

A couple of days earlier, Chief Minister Buzdar issued instructions while presiding over a meeting for steps to start the sugarcane crushing season at the earliest.

The chief minister was briefed about sugar stocks and demand in the province.

He the administration should ensure availability of sugar in small shops in order to stabilise the market. The sugar situation should be reviewed on a daily basis, he added.

The chief minister was informed that there was ample stock of sugar in Lahore and other areas of the province. Sugar is available at Rs90 per kilogramme in 200 mega stores and 1,200 small shops in Lahore.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Buzdar said in his message on the eve of the birth anniversary of Poet of the East Allama Muhammad Iqbal that he had awakened the Muslims from deep slumber through his poetry and philosophical thoughts and given a message of self-identification to the youth while employing the symbol of Shaheen.

The chief minister said Allama Iqbal was an exponent of Muslim unity who addressed the whole of humanity while rising above geographical limits.

Allama Iqbal secured the future of the Muslim nation by presenting the idea of a separate homeland in the subcontinent, he continued.

The chief minister expressed confidence that Pakistan would emerge as a moderate Islamic welfare state by following the vision of Allama Iqbal.

Following the philosophy and vision of Allama Iqbal was the best way to pay tribute to the Poet of the East, added Chief Minister Buzdar.

The vision of a new Pakistan was in accordance with the philosophy and principles of Allama Iqbal, he maintained.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan was materialising Iqbal’s idea of Pakistan as he believed that the golden principles of justice and equality, self-respect, passion and humanism are roadmaps for development. “The nation should reiterate its commitment today to follow the vision and philosophy of Allama Iqbal,” concluded the chief minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2021.