19 January 2005	Wednesday	08 Zilhaj 1425

ISLAMABAD, Jan 18: The Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet on Tuesday decided against importing more wheat because of a stable supply situation, but allowed an additional import of 50,000 tons of raw sugar.

The committee agreed to consider import of refined sugar after Eidul Azha.

The ECC, presided over by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, noted that there would be no load shedding of electricity as a result of Sui gas interruptions to the power sector because it would be neutralized by increased hydel power generation.

Special Secretary of the Prime Minister Secretariat Dr Waqar Masud told journalists during a briefing that the ECC was informed that Sui gas installations would be fully repaired by Wednesday and normal gas supply would resume all over the country in two or three days.

Mr Masud declined to comment about the impact of additional hydro-electric power generation on irrigation requirements. Mr. Masud said the ECC decided to import a total of 250,000 tons of raw sugar, instead of the previous target of 200,000 tons, to beef up sugar stocks and to consider afresh after Eid about allowing import of refined sugar.

He said that the sugarcane production remained below expectations this year. He did not agree to the assertion that import of raw sugar would hurt the common man's interests and that its import should have been assigned to the Trading Corporation of Pakistan.

He said that the State Bank was allowing raw sugar imports on a 'first-come, first-serve' basis. Mr Masud confirmed that export of about 400 sheep was allowed to the UAE.