RAWALPINDI, Nov 17: President General Pervez Musharraf has directed the State bank to take immediate steps for controlling the rising ratio of inflation to make daily commodities available at reduced prices. He was talking to SBP Governor Dr Ishrat Hussain who called on him at the Army House Rawalpindi on Thursday.

Mr Hussain briefed the president about the overall economic situation of Pakistan, reforms in banks and other monetary institutions as well as flow of foreign investment in the country, and other important matters.

Gen Musharraf appreciated the efforts of the bank and said the overall economic progress of the country would not be hampered by the destruction caused by the quake. The situation would also not affect the poverty alleviation programme.—Online