Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday directed the relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities in the local markets and avoid speculations to disturb the market.
The minister issued these instructions while presiding over a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC). In the meeting, after the recent floods in the country, the progress on the supply of various essential items was reviewed.
Representatives of Chief Economist, Chief Secretary Punjab, FBR, PBS and Ministry of Food Security and Industries participated in the meeting. It may be noted that in order to ensure the supply of food commodities and maintain their prices after the floods in the country, the Ministry of Planning Commission took the lead by activating the NPMC last week.
On a weekly basis, the NPMC reviews the prices of essential commodities and ensures that there should be no speculation on price hikes in the market and no delay in the distribution of essential commodities.
The minister directed the concerned stakeholders to take strict action against those responsible who are involved in hoarding in the market. The minister also directed the chief secretaries of all the provinces to ensure that there is no hoarding of essential commodities, especially wheat.
The Minister was informed that after the importation of tomatoes and onions, the prices in the market have come down. It was further informed that the prices will be further reduced from next week for the convenience of the public.
The Federal Minister directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Industries to take immediate steps to reduce the prices of palm oil. He said that after the reduction in palm oil prices, the results are not visible on the ground.
The Federal Minister directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Industry to involve the palm oil manufacturers and take immediate steps to reduce the prices so as to provide relief to the common man.
The minister directed the relevant stakeholders to include Azad Jammu and Kashmir, GB and State Bank of Pakistan.
