KARACHI, Oct 10: Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim has asked flour-millers to reduce the prices of flour. The chief minister held a meeting with the office-bearers of Flour Mills Association, Wholesale Merchandise and Retail Merchandise Associations in the Chief Minister’s House in this regard on Monday.

Taking notice of the rise in flour prices during Ramazan in the province, especially in Karachi, he asked the concerned trade associations to take steps for stabilizing flour prices. He said that rates of all daily-use commodities should be checked on regular basis to facilitate the poor masses.

Arbab Rahim said that wheat-flour was one of the basic food necessities of citizens. He noted with concern that traders were bent to raise flour prices without even taking into account the sanctity of the holy month.

He asked the administration and law-enforcing agencies to take stern action against hoarders and profiteers.

The representatives of trade bodies assured the chief minister that daily-use commodities were being provided to the citizens on rates fixed by the city government. They said that they would continue to cooperate with the government in this regard.

They claimed that fine flour was being provided at Rs13.5 per kilogram, while flour of normal quality at Rs12 per kilogram.

The chief minister said that citizens were being provided with poor quality flour. To ensure quality edibles, he said, new laws would be enacted and implemented through the respective city governments. He also took notice of rise in chakki atta rates and instructed the officials concerned to take action in this regard.

On the occasion, the office-bearers of Flour Mills Association announced a donation of 20,000 bags of flour for the earthquake victims.

Arbab Rahim said that besides proposed wholesale market on Northern Bypass, the possibility of setting up a similar market on the National Highway should also be reviewed.

He said that modern facilities should be provided in these markets.

He said that he would soon personally visit the site of the wholesale market and the government would allot plots after developing the land.

He said that construction maps would be provided by the government, while construction work should be carried out by the shop owners.

Secretary Food Abid Shaikh, Secretary Agriculture Nazar Hussain Mahar, DCO Fazlur Rehman, EDO Rais Ahmed Paracha and others were also present. —PPI