ISLAMABAD May 28: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has directed all the provincial governments to play their role in regulating wheat and wheat flour supplies in their respective markets to stabilise their prices.

In a letter addressed to the chief ministers of Punjab, NWFP, Sindh and Balochistan, the prime minister directed them to step up vigilance on wheat flour prices and to issue necessary instructions to food departments to take strict action against hoarders and profiteers.

According to an official handout, the premier has reiterated government’s intention of ensuring availability of wheat and wheat flour to common man at a reasonable price and to take all necessary steps to prevent artificial shortage and price-hike, emphasising that in view of record wheat crop this year the artificial surge in wheat flour prices is unwarranted.

He said there should be stern action against those involved in speculative hoarding and profiteering.

To check this trend, he said the food departments should check the weight of wheat flour bags to ensure that it is in accordance with specifications and also liaise with flour mill owners to ensure adequate supply and reasonable price.

The prime minister stated that he has asked the federal minister for food, agriculture and livestock to convene a meeting of the provincial food ministers and secretaries to review the situation.

The prime minister has said that the ECC decision to suspend the export of wheat will help adequate supply of wheat and consequently a stable price in the domestic market.