PESHAWAR, Sept 23: Federal Minister for Political Affairs and president of the NWFP chapter of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Amir Muqam has directed the Utility Stores Corporation to ensure strict implementation on the prime minister’s Ramzan package.

The directive was issued by the minister during a meeting which reviewed the performance of the USC in the province here on Saturday.

USC’s zonal chief Ashfaq Ahmad briefed the minister about measures taken for providing food items at controlled rates.

Amir Muqam said that the federal government has given a subsidy of Rs13 billion on edible goods and prices of 1,450 items have been reduced.

He directed the authorities concerned to accelerate provision of more USC outlets in all districts of the NWFP and also make arrangement for mobile service in remote areas.

Similarly, he said, utility stores would be opened at each union council under the self-employment scheme announced by President Pervez Mushrraf.

Later, the federal minister presided over a meeting of the special education department and underscored the need for providing better formal education facilities to special children.

He said by imparting them education upto matric level, these children would be more confident to interact with the people and happily lead a normal life.—APP