August 10, 2007	Friday	Rajab 25, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Aug 9: The second meeting of the ministerial committee on core food inflation held here on Thursday ended with no tangible results for controlling spiralling food prices.

The ministerial committee meeting was headed by Industries Minister Jahangir Khan Tareen. It was attended by representatives of all relevant ministries.

A source privy to the meeting told Dawn that nobody was well prepared for the meeting owing to rumours of emergency.

Another issue, which disrupted the meeting, was the summoning of four federal secretaries and ministers by the Supreme Court in the price-hike case.

An official announcement of the committee said during the meeting, pricing of essential food items was discussed in detail. However, the ministry of food was asked to come up with data about the causes and impact of core food inflation.

Some short-term policy measures were also discussed.

Further discussions on policy recommendations will continue in the next meeting of the committee on Aug 16.