Huge subsidy given on flour, sugar

LAHORE

A meeting of Cabinet Committee for Ramazan Package was held under chairmanship of Punjab Minister for Planning and Development Malik Nadeem Kamran to review arrangements at Ramazan bazaars, prices, quality and supply of daily-use items, at Civil Secretariat on Monday. 

Addressing the meeting, the minister said that in view of increase in sales ahead of Eid, demand and supply of commodities including fruits and vegetables be monitored properly to ensure that there is no shortage. He said the Punjab government has given huge subsidy on flour and sugar. He said ample availability of subsidised flour in Sahiwal, Sargodha and Gujranwala be ensured, adding subsidised flour has not only been provided in Ramazan bazaars but also in open markets in all districts so that relief could be extended to maximum number of people.

Additional Chief Secretary Shumail Ahmad Khwaja directed the Lahore deputy commissioner to get supply of tomatoes enhanced for stability in its price. He said special attention should be paid to quality of daily use items and weights and measures in Ramazan bazaars. Rate lists should be displayed at shops for facilitating people, he added. He said crackdown on profiteers and hoarders be stepped up besides improving arrangements at Ramazan bazaars with the focus on provision of basic facilities and cleanliness in and around these bazaars. The meeting was told that on the directions of the Punjab government price control magistrates conducted raids at 229,100 places, lodged FIRs against 4108 persons and got arrested 4285 persons over profiteering. As many as 4 lakh flour bags have been sold in 319 Ramazan bazaars across the province. Fruits and vegetables are available at fair price shops of Agriculture Department in Ramazan bazaars. The meeting was attended by Secretary Industries, Secretary Food, Deputy Commissioner Lahore, and officers of Information, Agriculture and Livestock departments.

PUC: Different religious organisations on appeal of Pakistan Ulema Council have announced observing Jumatul Wida as "Youm-e-Tahafuz Harmain Al-Sharifain Al-Aqsa" all over the country.

Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi chaired a meeting here on Monday. Representatives of different religious organisations, including Maulana Asim Makhdoom, Jamiat Ulema Islam and others attended the meeting. The meeting decided unanimously to observe Jumatul Wida, 23rd of June as Youm-e-Tahafuz Harmain Al-Sharifain Al-Aqsa stating that Harmain Al-Sharifain and Masjid-e-Aqsa are centres of Muslim unity and strength.