ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed interior ministry and all provincial governments to ensure security and availability of commodities during the holy month of Ramzan.
In a letter addressed to Ministry of Interior and Chief Secretaries of all provincial governments including AJ&K and Gilgit Baltistan, the Prime Minister directed that coordination meetings with all provinces should be held to streamline the arrangements including security measures.
Notification of Price Control Committees, down till field levels in all the provinces and ICT should be issued.
The PM office has directed that physical presence of officers at Mandis, specially monitoring the auction process in order to keep base prices at minimum level should be ensured during Ramzan.
It directed the provincial governments that intelligence based action should be taken against black marketing and hoarding.
The provinces have been asked to issue detailed duty roster in each District covering all important markets, without over stretching the officers.
To complement effective implementation and monitoring, services of officers of line departments may be incorporated and investment of magisterial power by the concerned law departments, if required.
The prime minister office advised that performance monitoring of the officers and Districts should be made on KPIs and setting success benchmarks.
It has further advised that volunteers should be mobilized to get feedback about shortages and overpricing on Citizen Complain Portal.
The Prime Minister Office has stressed upon the need for holding well managed Sasta Bazars with availability of all essential commodities on control prices.
Prime Minister has directed that special measures should be taken to control the use of loud speakers during the month of Ramzan.
District Price Control Committees and Law & Order Committee headed by respective DCs should meet at regular intervals. Prime Minister has emphasized upon the need for ensuring fool-proof security arrangements especially during Traveh.
The Prime Minister Office has further advised the provincial government that surprise checking by the senior provincial officers in the districts should be ensured.
The letter calls upon the provincial governments to ensure uninterrupted supply of gas, electricity and water especially at the time of Sehri and Iftar.
It says that provision of subsidized flour, sugar , ghee/oil etc by the provincial governments in model bazar only should also be ensured.
The Prime Minister has directed Ministry of Interior to hold coordination meeting with all relevant stakeholders as soon as possible and to issue instructions/ make necessary arrangements accordingly.
It is pertinent to mention the government has already announced Ramazan package at the Utility Stores for providing low priced commodities to masses.
