Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed relevant authorities to ensure essential commodities, including sugar, are available at affordable rates, emphasizing this is a top priority of his government.
Chairing a meeting in Lahore on the supply and price control of sugar, he ordered the formulation of a strategy for the provision of sugar and other food items at reasonable prices throughout Ramzan. He also directed strict action against anyone involved in hoarding, stressing federal and provincial governments should work together to ensure affordable rates. Negligence in controlling the prices of sugar and other essential items during Ramzan will not be tolerated, he warned.
A briefing informed the meeting’s participants the country had ample stocks of sugar and provinces had established fair price shops to ensure the sale of sugar at affordable rates. Provincial secretaries said stringent measures would be taken to eliminate sugar smuggling, adding district administrations would ensure sugar hoarding and smuggling did not persist.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Industries and Production Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, federal minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and other high-ranking officials also attended the meeting.
Other meetings
Also on Sunday, the prime minister met Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari and discussed the demand and supply situation of electricity in the country. Similarly, he convened a late-night emergency meeting to address reports of low gas pressure and gas loadshedding in the country. He directed the senior management of SSGC and SNGPL to ensure smooth and uninterrupted flow of gas during sehri and iftar hours.
Subsequently, the Sui Southern Gas Company announced a 10% increase in gas pressure to ensure better delivery during peak hours. It also announced that gas supply to areas located at the end of distribution networks would commence 30-45 minutes before sehri and iftar to help improve pressure in those areas.
The SNGPL has also pledged to implement Sharif’s orders, assuring citizens that gas supply during sehri and iftar hours would be maintained.