March 25, 2003	Tuesday	Muharram 21, 1424

KARACHI, March 24: Sindh Minister for Food and Agriculture, Arif Mustafa Khan Jatoi has ruled out any shortage of essential items in case the US-Iraq war prolongs.

In a brief chat with newsmen at the annual dinner of Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association (KWGA) on Saturday, he said that the province has ample stocks of main essential commodities for at least three to four months.

“We have a surplus situation in wheat, rice, pulses, vegetables and fruits,” he said adding that the country has the benefit of being self-reliant and self-sufficient in local crops instead of imports.

In case of edible oil, he cannot say anything about it as the subject is being dealt by the federal government.

Owing to surplus stocks of every commodity, he said, “we are now ready to provide our essential items to Iraq in case rebuilding process gets underway.

Earlier, addressing the function, he assured the wholesalers that their problems would be resolved on priority basis as the government believes in implementation of decision and work instead of paying lip service.

Chairman KWGA, Anis Majeed said that stocks of wheat, rice and pulses are sufficient to face crisis situation in case the duration of Iraq war extends.

He said the wholesalers have already been submitting reports to the Food Department about the stock situation of 15 days.