Food minister inaugurates ‘Ramazan Dastarkhwan’

Zahir Toru says strict action being taken against profiteers

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru on Friday officially inaugurated the Ramazan Dastarkhwan at the Panah Gah run by the Social Welfare Department at the District Headquarters Hospital, Mardan.

Members of Provincial Assembly from Mardan, Iftikhar Ali Mashwani, Tufail Anjum, Abdul Salam Afridi, Ehtsham Advocate and Zarshad Khan besides Deputy Commissioner Mardan Muhammad Fayaz Khan Sherpao, Medical Superintendent of DHQ Hospital, Dr. Javed Iqbal also participated in the inauguration ceremony.

The minister and MPA broke fast with a large number of people. On this occasion, the minister was informed that sehri and iftari facilities are regularly provided to common people including patients’ caregivers.

Talking to the media on this occasion, Toru said that at the moment a total of 11 panahgahs are functional in the province where quality food is provided in iftari and sehri to the people.

To a question, the minister informed that a special campaign is going on throughout the province to control prices during Ramazan and a large number of traders and shopkeepers involved in profiteering have been sent to jail during the last three days.

He said that as part of Ramazan package, the provision of Rs10,000 per poor family will be started in a few days. This will benefit more than eight and half lakh families totaling above 50 lakh people.

He said that a vigorous campaign is being conducted against those who create artificial price hike and illegal profiteers in order to supply food items at reasonable prices to the people across the province.

Toru asked the public to identify the profiteers and hoarders so that action could be taken against them.

Meanwhile, Advisor to Chief Minister for Ushar and Zakat, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment, Mashal Yousafzai did iftar with the travelers at the shelter located in Bacha Khan Medical Complex Swabi.

On this occasion, Deputy Commissioner Swabi, Dr. Tariqullah, Additional Deputy Commissioner Swabi Gohar Ali, District Director Social Welfare Zafar Khan and other Relevant officials were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on this occasion, Mashal Yousafzai said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has been given a third chance by the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to serve general public. This journey of public service will continue and facilities in all the shelters in K-P will be improved futher. She further said that to improve the delivery of services to the people she is monitoring all the shelters in the province personally.

“Under the people-friendly and welfare policies of the chief-minister, the arrangements of iftari in all shelters will continue in the blessed month of Ramazan in every district,” she added.

District Officer Social Welfare Zafar Khan briefed the advisor about the facilities provided to travelers in shelters. Also, she reviewed the facilities.

Later, she also visited the Drug Rehabilitation Center Swabi, where she reviewed the facilities provided to the patients and appreciated the services of the Social Welfare Department.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2024.