PM Imran's timely intervention averts possible wheat crisis in Punjab
Last updated on: 14 July,2020 08:58 pm
PM Imran's timely intervention averts possible wheat crisis in Punjab
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Sources say that a possible wheat crisis in Punjab has been averted with the intervention of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He has strongly directed the authorities to facilitate the public, by either importing wheat or bringing stock into market.
According to details, an important meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan in which measures to ensure supply of wheat at reasonable prices were discussed. The meeting also reviewed measures to ensure availability of sugar at reasonable prices.
Giving a detailed briefing on the situation, Chief Secretary Punjab said that a 20 kg bag of flour was being provided at Rs 860 in all cities of Punjab and 18,000 tons of wheat was being released on a daily basis. In addition, 20% flour is being sent to help meet the needs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Chief Secretary also gave a detailed briefing on the availability and prices of sugar in the province. Besides, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also briefed the meeting on prevention of wheat smuggling.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, while issuing strict instructions, directed authorities to carry out immediate crackdown on those involved in wheat hoarding across the country to ensure complete eradication of smuggling.
He directed that inter-provincial coordination should be further improved to bring prices at par while ensuring abundant availability of wheat and flour across the country.
During the meeting, the PM directed Chief Secretary Sindh to quickly finalize the planning to meet future requirements of wheat and flour, saying that a zero-tolerance policy should be adopted against those involved in food adulteration.
Imran Khan directed the Sindh government to ensure advance arrangements for all possibilities and bring wheat stocks to the market in time, saying that the entire country should not bear the brunt of any one province’s administrative incompetence.
The suggestion that Sindh would bring wheat stocks in the market by October for rejected by the Prime Minister, saying that it could create a wheat crisis in the country.