Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue, Mr. Shaukat Tarin, presided over the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) meeting held at the Finance Division. Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Syed Fakhar Imam, Federal Minister for Industries & Production Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce & Investment Abdul Razak Dawood, Federal Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, Chief Statistician PBS, Chairman FBR, MD Utility Stores and other senior officers participated in the meeting. The Secretary Finance briefed the NPMC about the weekly SPI situation which has been increased by 0.67% during the week under review. While reviewing the price trend of essential commodities, the Secretary Finance apprised that prices of 03 essential commodities registered decline whereas prices of 20 items remained stable during the last week, he added. The Secretary also apprised the meeting that prices of essential commodities registered decline in prices as compared to same month of last year. The Secretary Finance further updated the NPMC that the prices of the wheat flour bags remained consistent at Rs. 1100 per 20 kg due to the proactive measures of the Punjab Government and ICT administration. The Adviser Finance commended the efforts of the representatives of the Punjab Government and Islamabad administration and expressed concern over the significant price differential in the wheat flour prices in Sindh and Baluchistan Province as compared to other Provinces. He advised the Provincial Chief Secretaries of Sindh and Baluchistan to increase the daily releases of wheat to improve the supply situation in the markets. The Adviser reiterated the firm commitment of the Government to ensure smooth supply of wheat flour across the country at government specified rate. While reviewing the price of sugar in the country, the Secretary Finance informed that prices are easing out in Punjab due to proactive measures of the government. The Advisor directed all the provinces to meet their stocks by immediately lifting the imported sugar and inject into the market to bring down the prices. While reviewing the price trend of basic commodities, the Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin stated that the Government has taken a range of administrative and policy measures and by managing supply and demand chain, the prices of daily commodities are controlled as compared to the last year. The NPMC observed that Sastaa Sahulat Bazars in Punjab are offering essential goods at subsidized prices. The Adviser to the PM on Finance & Revenue commended the efforts of the representatives of the Punjab and Islamabad administration in providing key items at discounted prices through arranging Sastaa Bazars. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue, in his concluding remarks, stated that the Government will continue to take all possible measures to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities throughout the country.
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