Must pass on benefits of oil price reduction to the public: PM Imran
Last updated on: 14 May,2020 10:15 pm
A high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan on anti-smuggling and prices of products
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the purpose of reducing petroleum prices was to provide relief to the people, and it must be ensured that this benefit is passed on to the public.
According to details, a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan on anti-smuggling and prices of essential commodities was held today. The meeting was attended by Minister for Industries Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Minister of National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam, Finance Advisor Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Trade Advisor Abdul Razak Dawood, Secretary Interior, Secretary Finance, Secretary Food Security and Chairperson Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The four provincial Chief Secretaries, Interior Secretaries and Police Inspector Generals attended the meeting via video link. Chairperson FBR briefed the meeting on steps taken after the implementation of the Anti-Smuggling Ordinance.
The provincial Chief Secretaries gave a detailed briefing on measures taken to curb smuggling while also briefing on the present status of wheat production and harvesting in their respective provinces.
The meeting also reviewed the prices of essential commodities and the provincial Chief Secretaries gave a detailed briefing on the steps being taken to bring down their prices.
On this occasion, a report on actions taken against hoarders and profiteers was also presented to the Prime Minister. Moreover, a detailed briefing was given on the situation of essential commodities’ supply at controlled rates at utility stores.
Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister asked the provincial authorities to take steps to bring down the prices of essential commodities. He said that smuggling is a menace to the national economy which harms the national economy and poses a threat to the country’s food security.
He clarified that there would be no concession or compromise in actions against smuggling saying that a detailed report about prevention of smuggling and action against those involved in it should be presented every fortnight.
The Prime Minister said that reduction in the prices of petroleum products was aimed at providing relief to the people and its benefits should be extended to the public.