January 17, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 07, 1429

LAHORE, Jan 16: Caretaker Chief Minister Ejaz Nisar says Punjab has not stopped wheat and flour supply to other provinces and is still sending supplies to the NWFP.

Talking to media persons here at his secretariat on Wednesday, he said the federal government would give 500,000 ton imported wheat to Punjab which would improve its stocks. The daily requirement of the province was nearly 13,000 ton but it was issuing 21,000 ton wheat everyday while keeping in view the flour demand in other provinces.

The chief minister claimed that people were being provided with flour at the fixed price from sale points established by the provincial government at union council level. The supply was being monitored by DCOs and rangers.

He said the government was taking action against wheat hoarders and profiteers and the provincial food department too had been activated to ensure uninterrupted supply of flour to people at the fixed price.

The chief minister said security had been beefed up to maintain peace during Muharram. Additional force had been deployed at mosques, imambargahs and other religious places, and police were being assisted by rangers and army.

He said not only Pakistan but the entire world was facing the threat of terrorism. A DIG was heading investigations into the suicide incident that killed 23 people in Lahore last week. The team would submit its report in two weeks, he said.

Nisar said the basic job of the caretaker government was to ensure free and transparent polls, and it was fully assisting the election commission in this regard, completely banning transfers and postings of government officials, and new recruitment under its directions.