Ample wheat reserves in Punjab, says Usman Buzdar

LAHORE:A delegation of Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) led by its Central Committee Chairman Asim Raza called on Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office here Friday and presented a donation of 31,000 flour bags worth Rs2.5 crore to the provincial government for distribution in the penurious population.

The CM thanked the delegation and said that a comprehensive strategy had been employed to counter this pandemic while making the all-out effort to improve the supply of flour and other food items. There are ample wheat reserves in the province while the new wheat crop is also ready, he said. Increase in flour mills’ wheat quota will be examined while there should be no hurdle to the supply of flour, he added. He assured of taking steps for stabilising the flour price to ensure its availability at the fixed rate. The people should not face any difficulty as there is no shortage of wheat or flour in the province, he appended.

The delegation appreciated the steps being taken by the Punjab government for dealing with coronavirus pandemic and assured of their full support in this regard. The PFMA will not let any shortage of flour in the province, they added.

Chairman of PFMA’s Punjab Branch Abdul Rauf Mukhtar, Director Food Punjab and others were also present.

Pervaiz: Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has deposited more than Rs25.6 million to the Chief Minister Relief Fund. In this regard, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar while talking on telephone with Pervaiz Elahi appreciated the Speaker for depositing the fund for curbing Covid-19.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Ch Pervaiz Elahi, Deputy Speaker, Opposition leader, all MPAs and Assembly Secretariat employees above grade-18 have donated their one month salary whereas grade-16 and 17 employees have donated half month salary each. Pervaiz Elahi said that we have to fight against Covid-19 united, MPAs and Assembly Secretariat officers have played full role in the Fund, tackling the virus is a big challenge and the whole nation should donate with open hearts to the affectees; philanthropists should help the lockdown affectees.

The chief minister thanked Pervaiz Elahi and said this step would also inspire other personalities and they would also come forward to help the affectees.

US envoy: The US Ambassador Paul W Jones has assured of the all-out possible cooperation to Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar to deal with the coronavirus.

In a letter, the ambassador said his country was standing with Pakistan in the fight against coronavirus and added the US termed Pakistan a priority country for emergency coronavirus assistance. The US is providing assistance for overcoming epidemics, he said. In this regard, the chief minister appreciated the US cooperation adding that coronavirus is an international pandemic which requires coordinated efforts for dealing with it.

condolences: Usman Buzdar condoled the loss of lives due to roof collapse in Arifwala and extended sympathies to the bereaved heirs.

In a condolence message, he prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed souls in eternal peace. He also sought a report from the administration and directed to provide best treatment facilities to the injured.