PM directs to ensure availability of essential items on stable prices

October 15, 2019: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the ministries concerned to take measures to make the prices of essential items stable as well as ensuring their availability in markets for the benefit of common man.

Briefing media on cabinet decisions in Islamabad this evening, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said Prime Minister directed that strict action will be taken against profiteers and hoarders as it is main responsibility of the government to ensure provision of goods to the people.

In this regard, the Prime Minister has convened a meeting of provincial chief ministers and chief secretaries on Friday next in which measures would be discussed to activate the price control committees at grass roots level.

Prime Minister directed that a mechanism should be developed in coordination with provincial Auqaf Departments to take steps for land retrieval and its proper use for public service purposes. A data bank on these lands should also be prepared.

The cabinet endorsed the decisions of previous meeting of Economic Coordination Committee.

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the Prime Minister took the cabinet into confidence regarding his recent visits to China and Iran. In China, he discussed economic, defense, social, business, and people to people ties between Pakistan and China with Chinese leadership to enhance bilateral relations and further improve cooperation between the two countries.

In addition, Prime Minister thanked China for taking this principled stand. The cabinet expressed satisfaction on dynamic developments in relation with China.

The Prime Minister also took the cabinet into confidence regarding his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia in a bid to mend differences between the brotherly Islamic countries. She said Pakistan's economic and strategic power can increase to manifold when the brotherly Muslim countries are united.