-Says serving masses top priority
-Announces Wheat shipment of over 600,000 metric tonnes
By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review prices of basic commodities and action against hoarders in the country as 11 ships filled with over 600,000 metric tonnes of wheat would reach the country by the end of September.
According to sources, the prime minister chaired a meeting also attended by federal ministers, advisers, special assistants and chief secretaries of the four provinces, where he was briefed over the availability of the basic commodities and action against hoarders nationwide. Imran Khan directed an indiscriminate action against hoarders and ordered strict measures for bringing down the prices of the basic commodities.
The prime minister directed all those concerned to provide maximum relief to the masses by bringing down the prices of the basic products.
Meanwhile, sources revealed that under the initiative from the federal government to tackle the wheat crisis, two wheat-laden ships would arrive in the country on 24 and 28 August.
“They will bring upto 130,000 metric tonnes of wheat,” they said adding that nine more ships would reach the country by the end of the September, bringing 500,000 metric tonnes of wheat.
It is pertinent to mention here that in order to ensure the availability of wheat and flour in the country throughout the year at affordable prices, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on July 15 directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to accelerate efforts for wheat imports.
According to a press statement, ECC directed the food ministry to hold meetings with the major importers of wheat at the earliest and come up with proposals.
Meanwhile, The federal cabinet on Tuesday lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan on successful completion of two years of the PTI government.
Speaking in today’s cabinet meeting, the prime minister said his 24-year long struggle has not ended yet as he has gotten a lot to do for the weak segment of society. “Every weak Pakistani is the central point of our struggle,” he maintained.
“Sparing a thought for the weak segment is true faith,” he said, adding he wants to materialise his vision of turning Pakistan into Medina-like welfare state and vowed to incorporate the idea of such a state in the national curriculum, for which, he said, he has given instructions to Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood. Initially, a uniform curriculum will be prepared for 8th and 9th-grade students, he pointed out.
The prime minister said he achieved success through hard work in difficult times. “Come hell or high water, I will not leave people alone,” he pledged, maintaining that the true objective of his struggle is to improve living standards of commoners. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi apprised the cabinet on the government’s achievements on the diplomatic front and shed light on regional issues, including those related to India. Whereas, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar briefed the meeting about the government’s plans for the country’s growth.
He said the country was able to curb coronavirus with Prime Minister Khan’s successful strategy.
