ISLAMABAD: The National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) reviewed the prices of essential commodities on Thursday and directed all stakeholders to ensure the distribution of essential commodities among the masses.

In its meeting chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the committee reviewed the progress of essential commodities after the floods. The meeting was attended by the chief economist, chief secretary Punjab, and representatives from the Federal Board of Revenue, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of National Food Security and Research Food (MNFSR), and the Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP).

The planning minister asked the relevant stakeholders that after the recent floods there should be no speculation to disturb the market. This is the second meeting of the NPMC since it was constituted.

An official announcement said the committee noted that in order to ensure the supply of food edibles and to maintain their prices after the floods in the country, it will review prices of essential items on a weekly basis.

The minister said there should be no speculation over the hike in prices in the market and the distribution of essential commodities should not be delayed at any cost. He further directed the stakeholders concerned to take stern action against those responsible for the hoarding in the market.

“Chief secretaries of all provinces are directed to ensure that there should be no hoarding of essential items, particularly wheat,” said Mr Iqbal.

The committee was informed that after the import of tomatoes and onions, the prices had decreased in the market.

It was further informed that from the next week, the prices will further decrease in order to facilitate the masses.

The minister also directed the MNFSR and MoIP to immediately take steps to reduce the price of palm oil. “The results are not seen on the ground. After the decrease in palm oil prices, the results should be seen,” he remarked.

The planning minister directed both the ministries to engage palm oil manufacturers and take immediate steps to reduce the prices so relief could be ensured to the common man. Mr Iqbal also directed the concerned stakeholders to engage Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the State Bank of Pakistan, the announcement said.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2022