Govt making efforts to build strategic reserves of essential commodities: FM

August 3, 2021: Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin says the government is making vigorous efforts in building strategic reserves of essential commodities, including sugar, wheat, pulses, edible oil and ghee to ensure price stability and prevent undue profiteering and hoarding.

Chairing meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee in Islamabad, he said strategic reserves would ensure timely availability of basic commodities and bridge the gap between supply and demand.

The meeting was briefed that procurement orders to purchase 220,000 ton of wheat has already been placed.

Taking stock of the situation, the NPMC directed to import two million tons of wheat to ensure adequate stocks of the wheat in the country.

The meeting was informed that 600,000 tons of sugar is being imported to ensure that adequate stocks are available in the country until the next sugar season.

The NPMC was also apprised that per unit cost of petrol and electricity are cheapest in Pakistan as compared to the regional economies.

The Finance Minister underscored the efforts being made to keep the prices of essential items in check.

Radio Pakistan