June 25, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 20, 1429

ISLAMABAD, June 24: Commerce Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar told the National Assembly on Tuesday that all subsidies being provided by the government on various items would be withdrawn by the end of the current year.

Speaking on a call-attention notice, he said the subsidies on gas and electricity were being removed gradually. He said people would have to learn to live without subsidies.

He said the government did not have surplus funds for the energy sector.

He expressed concern over import of raw material, saying that over $1 billion was spent on importing cotton.

He said reducing the import of food items which were available in the country would have a positive impact on the economy.

—APP