ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday that smuggling of food commodities is a menace to the country’s economy and poses a threat to national food security, adding that there would be “no concession or compromise on action against smuggling”.
PM Imran said this while presiding over a high-level meeting to review progress on prevention of smuggling of food commodities.
He directed all relevant departments to submit reports on the prevention of smuggling and action taken against those involved in the act after every 15 days so that progress in this regard may be continuously monitored.
Earlier, the provincial chief secretaries apprised Imran Khan on the situation of wheat production, harvesting and overall situation.
The meeting also reviewed the prices of basic commodities, with the provincial chief secretaries briefing the premier in detail about the steps taken to bring down food inflation.
Reports on action taken against hoarders and profiteers by the provincial governments were also presented to the PM.
Economic Affairs Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Industries Minister Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Adviser to PM on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Special Assistant to PM on Revenue Dr Waqar Masood and other senior officers attended the meeting. Provincial chief secretaries participated in the meeting via video link.