The meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee chaired by the Federal Minister of Planning, directed the provinces and the Ministry of Food to maintain balance in the prices of food items in Ramadan

Islamabad, March 16, 2023 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister for Planning Prof. Ahsan Iqbal chairing the meeting of National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) has issued instructions to the Ministry of National Food Security and the provincial governments to increase the prices of food items used in Ramadan. I have also directed to reduce the prices of edible oil in order to maintain the balance so that maximum relief can be given to the people in the month of Ramadan and no crisis occurs in the country.

The meeting was attended by senior officials of all provinces, Federal Board of Revenue, Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Food Security and Industries. The Federal Minister of Planning, NAB has asked the authorities of all provinces, especially the Ministry of Food, to maintain a balance in the prices of food items before the start of the month of Ramadan.

In the meeting, the officials of the Statistics Institute gave a detailed briefing regarding the prices of food items. The Federal Minister expressed concern that despite the decrease in the prices of edible oil in the global market, its positive effects did not reach Pakistan and issued instructions to the concerned departments to resolve the matter immediately.

Addressing the meeting, the federal minister directed the provincial authorities to closely monitor the prices while strict action should be taken against hoarding. The federal minister further said that keeping in mind the demand of market items, their supply should be ensured, especially those items which are used more in the month of Ramadan, including besan, dates.

In the meeting, the Federal Minister expressed concern over the increase in the prices of food items in the federal capital and directed the Chief Commissioner, Islamabad to immediately control the prices, while the Assistant Commissions in the respective areas to control the prices effectively. Also issued instructions to take action. The federal minister said that the government is taking vigorous steps to provide maximum relief to the common man.

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