ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has directed authorities concerned to contain rising prices of eggs, wheat flour and tomatoes to give benefit to end consumers.

Chairing the meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), Hafeez directed to take all possible measures to bring down the prices of these essential items.

Minister for Industries & Production Hammad Azhar apprised the meeting that they were closely monitoring the prices of sugar and edible oil to ensure uninterrupted supply at fair prices.

The minister updated the NPMC about the current status of wheat and sugar stocks. The improved availability has ensured steady supply of both commodities across the country.

Provinces asked to check hoarding, black marketing of essentials

The wheat stock position is sufficient for the domestic consumption and average per day release to the provinces is also satisfactory.

Hafeez also directed the provincial governments to keep close watch on the prices of wheat in the market to avoid hoarding, black marketing and smuggling to ensure uninterrupted supply of the commodity at affordable prices.

The finance minister emphasised an increased coordination among all ­government functionaries for efficient monitoring of prices of essential items to provide maximum relief to the general public.

The NPMC reviewed the price trend of essential commodities. The finance ministry briefed the committee that there had been a nominal increase in weekly Sensitive Price Index by 0.11pc. Prices of 10 basic items decreased notably onions, potatoes and chicken whereas eggs, wheat flour and tomatoes registered a slight increase during the week ended Dec 24.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Industries & Production, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Revenue, Provincial Chief Secretaries, Secretary Planning Development & Special Initiatives, Secretary Industries & Production, Chairman FBR, Additional Secretary MNFS&R, Joint Secretary Commerce, Chairperson CCP, Chairman TCP, MD Passco, MD Utility Store Corporation, Member PBS and senior officers of the Finance Division.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2020