A Cabinet Committee meeting reviews commodity stocks, supply arrangements and prices, with officials reporting adequate supplies and no anticipated shortages.
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has directed relevant authorities to closely monitor supply chains and prices of essential commodities, warning that strict action will be taken against hoarding, artificial shortages and overpricing.
Dar issued the directives on Friday while chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee tasked with reviewing the availability, supply arrangements and prices of essential commodities across the country.
During the meeting, the deputy prime minister was informed that adequate stocks of essential commodities were available to meet domestic demand. Officials reported that no shortages were anticipated and that prices were stabilising.
Dar instructed the relevant federal and provincial authorities to maintain vigilant oversight of supply chains and commodity prices to ensure that domestic consumers could access essential goods at reasonable rates.
The directives were issued in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s instructions to monitor market conditions and facilitate consumers.
Strict action against hoarding and artificial shortages
Dar stressed that authorities must take strict action against those involved in hoarding essential commodities, creating artificial shortages or charging excessive prices.
The directive seeks to ensure that adequate supplies translate into improved market availability and price stability for consumers.
The monitoring exercise is intended to help authorities identify supply disruptions, track price movements and respond to practices that could undermine the availability or affordability of essential goods.
Although officials reported sufficient stocks and stabilising prices, the deputy prime minister emphasised the need for continued vigilance to prevent market manipulation and protect domestic consumers.
Federal and provincial officials attend meeting
The meeting was attended by the ministers for national food security and research and climate change, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, the secretary of commerce, and senior representatives of relevant federal and provincial ministries and departments.
The committee reviewed the overall stock position and supply arrangements for essential commodities, with an emphasis on maintaining uninterrupted supplies and monitoring prices.
The government has directed the relevant authorities to continue overseeing market conditions and take action against violations to support price stability and consumer access to essential goods.