Negligence in price control not to be tolerated: PM

LAHORE/PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Sunday said provision of essential items to people at low rates was the government’s top priority and any negligence in this regard would not be tolerated. He said this while chairing a meeting on the supply of sugar and price control here.

The premier said in the previous months, the government had taken strict action against sugar smuggling, which bore fruitful results.

He directed the authorities to take solid steps to control the price of sugar besides taking stern action against the elements involved in its hoarding.

Shehbaz directed preparation of a strategy to ensure the provision of the commodity and other essential items at reasonable rates.

“The federal and provincial governments should make joint efforts to ensure the provision of essential items to the common man at low rates,” he added.

He said during the holy month of Ramazan, negligence regarding control of prices of essential items would not be tolerated.

The meeting was briefed about the sugar production and that there was its sufficient stock available in the country.

It was informed that fair price shops had been set up to sell sugar at low rates at the provincial level and all possible steps would be taken to completely overcome its smuggling.

Action would be ensured against the illegal hoarding of sugar and work at the district administration level would be taken vibrantly in this regard, the chief secretaries briefed the meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and other high-ranking officials attended the meeting.

The chief secretaries of all the provinces also attended the meeting via video link.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Ramazan relief package of Rs20 billion has garnered widespread praise across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with citizens from all walks of life lauding the unprecedented financial support.

This package, which is the largest ever announced for the holy month of Ramazan, is expected to offer significant relief to millions of poor families across the country.

The package aims to support approximately 4 million deserving families, benefiting about 20 million people, including those in KP.

This move is seen as a substantial increase over the last year’s relief of Rs7 billion, representing a 186% increase.

Politicians, economists, teachers, and civil society members have all voiced their support for the relief initiative, but it has particularly resonated with low-income groups.

Workers, farmers, labourers and low-paid employees expressed their gratitude, saying the relief would ease the financial burden during the holy month.

Riaz Khan, a retired schoolteacher, praised the prime minister for his empathy and commitment to helping those in need. “This massive relief package will provide the much-needed assistance to many poor families. It is very positive to see the government prioritizing the welfare of ordinary citizens,” Riaz Khan remarked.

The relief package, which will be distributed within the first ten days of Ramazan, will provide Rs5,000 per family, disbursed through digital wallets.

This financial support is expected to be particularly impactful for daily wage earners, farmers, labourers and small business owners who are struggling with inflation and rising living costs.

Bilal Khan, a local fruit seller, expressed his gratitude for the prime minister for the mega package, calling it important for people in his community.

“The Ramazan relief package will make a huge difference for people like me who struggle to make ends meet. It will help us buy essentials for our families and observe the holy month with peace of mind.”

Similarly, farmers and small-scale vendors such as Misal Khan, a farmer, Lateef Shah, a hairdresser, and Shahjehan, a bread maker, thanked the prime minister for his timely support.

“This package will ease our daily challenges and ensure that we can provide for our families during the holy month,” they said.

The Ramazan package has been widely seen as a symbol of solidarity with the masses.

Many believe this initiative will foster a sense of national unity and highlight the government’s commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable sectors of the society.

As the holy month of Ramazan begins, the relief package stands as a beacon of hope for millions, reaffirming the government’s focus on alleviating the financial hardships faced by ordinary citizens.

The people of KP, along with the rest of the nation, have expressed their sincere appreciation for this timely and generous initiative.