PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to request the federal government toimport 300,000 tons of wheat for it to control flour prices.

The decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan here.Spokesman for the government Kamran Khan Bangash told reporters that the cabinet discussed the wheat flour issue.

He said the food department had contacted the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation for the supply of 500,000 tons of wheat.

Mr Bangash said the federal government would be contacted for importing the remaining 300,000 tons of wheat for the province to control flour price.

He said the cabinet discussed the Covid-19 strategy for Eidul Azha and was told that under the strategy, cattle markets had been set up at 199 designated places, while children and elderly people were barred from entering there.

CM orders enforcement of plastic bag ban during cabinet meeting

The spokesman said the police had formulated a security plan, while all arrangements had been made for hospitals, which would remain open during Eid holidays.

The cabinet was also informed that sanitation companies had been mobilised across the province to ensure cleanliness during Eid.Mr Bangash said the cabinet expressed satisfaction with reduction in Covid-19 cases in the province but warned that the infection could spread again due to overcrowding and carelessness on part of the people.

The cabinet directed members of the assembly to mark Eid with simplicity and refrain from sitting in hujras to prevent the spread of the virus.

The spokesman said the cabinet also discussed the ban on polythene bags in the province.

Chief Minister Mahmood Khan ordered strict enforcement of plastic bag ban across the province by district administrations.

He also issued directions for the re-opening of the revenue court to address the people’s issues related to financial matters and ensure strict enforcement of SOPs.

The cabinet also decided to ensure the early release of grant-in-aid announced for press clubs in merged tribal districts.

The KP Covid-19 (prevention of hoarding) Ordinance, 2020, was also approved in the meeting.

Mr Bangash said the ordinance’s promulgation had stabilised prices of essential food items and that the district administrations had been checking all markets day and night.

He said the cabinet approved the appointment of Fayyaz Ahmad Khan as the chief executive officer for Trans-Peshawar.

The spokesman said the cabinet also approved amendments to the Waqf Property Ordinance, 1979, for the better management and administration of the Waqf property.

He said amendments to the Cooperative Societies Act, 1925, were also approved to bring transparency in the management of cooperative societies, better financial management and legal action against defiant societies.

Mr Bangash said the cabinet had approved a loan of Rs420 million for locust control and fisheries projects.

The fisheries project will be carried out in partnership with the private sector.

Under the project, 300 trout fish farms, agricultural extension department, establishment of fisheries training and research center in Swat, establishment of trout hatchery in Mansehra, Dobir trout hatchery in Kohistan, upgradation and rehabilitation and measures to address the future of the locust such as machinery, manpower, spray and IT monitoring system.

He said the cabinet had approved the KP Trust Act, 2020, for trust regulation, monitoring and registration and other matters.

The spokesman said the cabinet approved the handing over of the management of Swat Serena Hotel to the tourism department.

He said a committee had been formed to outsource the Swat Serena Hotel, which would submit its recommendations to the cabinet for the purpose.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2020