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ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has warned that strict action would be taken against black marketers, hoarders and price hikers for exploiting the people in Ramazan.
Talking to Federal Minister for Industries and Production Liaquat Ali Jatoi here on Saturday, the prime minister also issued directives that all basic commodities like flour, ghee, sugar and pulses should be made available to the people throughout Ramazan.
He directed the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) to reduce prices of all basic commodities by 10 per cent during the holy month and warned hoarders of strict action.
The prime minister said it was the duty of the USC to keep a check on the prices of all items of daily use by providing best quality at the minimum possible price.
He was of the view that the role of the USC was very important in providing relief to the people in Ramazan when prices normally went up in the open market because of profiteering. He asked the minister to personally monitor the prices, supply and distribution through the USC.
Mr Jatoi briefed the prime minister on the efforts made by the USC to ensure provision of all basic commodities to the people at affordable price. The minister also briefed the prime minister about the steps being taken by the ministry for improving the management and introduction of financial discipline and transparency in the corporation.
Mr Jatoi said the USC had managed to reduce its losses and was working on “no profit no loss” basis. He told the prime minister that the USC had made special arrangements to supply essential items to the people through mobile utility trucks in different parts of the country.
He invited the prime minister to visit his ministry to see its working and for a detailed briefing.
FOREIGN INVESTMENT: Talking to a delegation of M/s AAZ Mock LLC, (USA), headed by General Anthony C Zinni, which called on the prime minister here on Saturday, Mr Jamali said his government was determined to ensure investment-friendly atmosphere in the country to encourage foreign and local investors.
He said more investment would result in more growth, prosperity, creating employment opportunities and strengthening the economic base of the country.
The prime minister said the government had taken numerous steps, including the continuation of previous government’s economic policies, to create investment-friendly climate in the country and as a consequence of these policies foreign and local investors from the private sector were coming forth.
He said that the law and order situation in the country had improved, bureaucratic hurdles eliminated, infrastructure developed and financial facilities expanded, which were having a positive impact on the investment and helping in generating economic activities.
He held out an assurance to the visiting delegation that his government would facilitate the telecom company for investing in fixed line and cellular sectors.
He also directed Federal Minister for Telecommunications Awais Leghari to expedite the policy formulation regarding expansion of cellular telecom network and to provide level playing field to all companies.
General Zinni, the head of the delegation, said his company was interested in investing, developing and upgrading the existing cellular network and fixed line telecom infrastructure in the country.
