PM Imran directs to cut down the prices of the essential items

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed for evolving a comprehensive strategy to bring down the prices of essential items.
Briefing the media persons about the decisions taken in the federal cabinet meeting here on Tuesday, Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz said that the Prime Minister has expressed serious concerns over rising prices of edible items.
The minister said the cabinet was given a detailed briefing about stocks of wheat and sugar in the country, adding sufficient quantity of these commodities is available in the country. He said wheat prices are higher in Sindh due to the provincial government’s reluctance to release the produce to flour mills.
Faraz said the cabinet was briefed that the target of cotton crop for the current year cannot be achieved due to massive losses inflicted by rains and floods.
He said the cabinet also approved to have coordination with provincial governments, police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure security measures on the upcoming Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain [RA].
The minister said it was informed that despite liabilities of Rs400 billion and difficult situation, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) increased its revenue by Rs7 billion. He said the cabinet lauded performance of PIA for repatriating 250,000 stranded Pakistanis from abroad.
He said that Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar briefed the meeting about economic indicators, which are showing positive signs. He said that foreign remittances are encouraging more than expectations. He said that the current account deficit has been continuously under control for the last two months. He said that the country’s foreign exchange reserves have reached $20 billion.
Regarding the political situation in the country, Syed Shibli Faraz said that the opposition’s narrative is similar to that of the enemies of Pakistan. He said opposition leaders are talking like they are foes of Pakistan. He said that India is trying its best to push Pakistan to the black list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Shibli Faraz said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government and the Prime Minister have nothing to do with the treason case lodged against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and other party leaders. He said that it might be possible that the first information report (FIR) had been registered against Nawaz Sharif by his own people to get political mileage.
He reiterated that PM Imran will not bow down to pressure tactics or blackmailing and added that he neither did nor allow anyone to do corruption in the country.
Responding to a question, the minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is working for a developed and corruption-free Pakistan and an impartial and transparent accountability will be continued in the country. He said that all citizens are equal in the eyes of law.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a session of the federal cabinet. The cabinet members welcomed the appointment of Dr Waqar Masood as special assistant to the PM on revenue. The cabinet also reviewed the government’s steps for reducing inflation.
The federal cabinet members decided to launch a crackdown on profiteers and hoarders of sugar in order to bring down its prices.
In the session, Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid presented the revival plan of Pakistan Railways and raised the issue for the payment of pensions to the employees.
The members were briefed that Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) will fully revive in three phases. Rasheed said that the Supreme Court (SC) had directed to restore the KCR at the earliest.
Moreover, the annual financial report of the national flag-carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), was also presented before the federal cabinet. – TLTP