Maryam takes firm stance against ‘artificial’ price hikes

LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, while chairing a second meeting in a week on devising a robust mechanism to control the prices of daily-use items in the province, warned on Wednesday that artificial increases in prices cannot be tolerated.

She discussed in detail a comprehensive strategy to prevent artificial increases in the prices of essential commodities like chicken and milk.

The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to start a special campaign to check adulteration in milk. She also conducted a detailed review of issues related to the supply chain and pricing mechanisms of chicken and milk in the province. “All stakeholders must work together to improve supply chain performance,” she said. “By improving the supply chain with the use of modern technology, stability in prices should be brought.”

Also, Maryam Nawaz, while chairing a special meeting to review 471 road projects under the Roads Rehabilitation Programme directed to start construction of roads in the province by September 15. She emphasized completing the Roads Rehabilitation Programme by June 30. The chief minister reviewed 75 projects of road rehabilitation in villages under the Rural Roads Rehabilitation Programme.

She added that with a budget outlay of Rs192 billion, work on rural roads should also begin by September 15. She instructed the authorities to undertake the construction and rehabilitation of the Kartarpur Corridor. “The GT Road to Quaid-e-Azam Interchange Ring Road will be constructed and expanded. A 93-km-long road from Multan to Vehari will also be constructed and repaired.” The chief minister said, “The Faisalabad-Chiniot-Sargodha Road and Kumahan interchange 24 km-road will also be constructed and repaired.”

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz congratulated the Punjab police on successfully carrying out an operation against the dacoits in the Kutcha area. The CM paid tribute to the inspector who was martyred during the operation due to a heart attack. She expressed her heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family. Also, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed grief over the death of actor Sardar Kamal.