ISLAMABAD: The government’s bid to ban exports of potato, tomato and onion to control the prices of these edible items has not been welcomed by exporters.
The federal cabinet the other day banned export of these items till May 30. Federal Cabinet decides not to increase prices of gas, electricity. The federal cabinet has also decided not to increase the prices of gas and electricity for domestic, industrial consumers and Tandoors.
Briefing the newsmen after cabinet meeting in Islamabad, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said provision of maximum relief and facilities to the masses is top priority of the government.
She said the cabinet directed the Managing Director Utility Stores to buy ghee and edible oil from the mills of Azad Kashmir and tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for further reducing their prices. She said a comprehensive framework is being devised to provide relief particularly to the low income salaried persons.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said a stock of 2.8 million tonnes of wheat is currently available in the country, which is enough to meet to country’s requirements. She said the Economic Coordination Committee has decided to release 100,000 tonnes wheat each for Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while more five hundred thousand tons wheat will be imported when the prices will come down. She said the cabinet was told that provincial governments are taking effective measures to impede hoarding of sugar, while ECC has allowed the purchase of 300,000 tons sugar on which regulatory duty has already been waived.
She said the prime minister issued directives not to increase the prices of electricity and gas and asked Ministry of Water and Power and Ministry of Oil and Gas to come with real suggestions in the next cabinet meeting to reduce the gas and electricity tariff.
