ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the officials concerned to evolve a comprehensive strategy to bring down the prices of essential items.
Briefing the media about decisions taken in the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, Information & Broadcasting Minister Shibli Faraz said the prime minister had 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. “It was observed that sufficient quantity of these commodities is available in the country.”
He said wheat prices were higher in Sindh due to the provincial government’s reluctance to release the stock.
“The cabinet was told that the target of cotton crop for the current year cannot be achieved due to massive losses inflicted by rains and floods,” he informed.
Meanwhile, the minister said, the meeting was informed that despite liabilities of Rs400 billion and difficult situation, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has increased its revenue up to Rs7.6 billion. He added that the cabinet lauded PIA’s performance for repatriating 250,000 stranded Pakistanis from abroad.
During the meeting, Shibli Faraz said, Planning Minister Asad Umar briefed the meeting about economic indicators, which were showing positive signs.
He said foreign remittances have increased beyond expectations while current account deficit remained under control in the last two months.
On the country’s political situation, Shibli Faraz said the opposition’s narrative was similar to that of the enemies of Pakistan, as “opposition leaders are talking as if they are foes of Pakistan”.
He said India was trying its best to push Pakistan to the blacklist of Financial Action Task Force, adding that Pakistan’s adversaries were attempting to weaken its institutions to create a similar situation to that in Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Responding a question, he said the cabinet would coordinate with provincial governments, police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure security measures on occasion of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).
On another query, Shibli Faraz said Prime Minister Imran Khan was working for a developed and corruption-free Pakistan, adding that impartial and transparent accountability would continue unabated in the country.
