Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has said the government has decided to extend tax relief to the companies in order to bring down the edible oil prices by about PKR 50 per kilogram.
Addressing a news conference along with Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib and Special Assistant on Food Security Jamshed Iqbal Cheema in Islamabad, Finance Minister said the wheat is being released at the rate of PKR1,950 per 40KG. The price of sugar has been notified at PKR89.5/KG. And also measure are being taken to provide the public with cheap commodities. Government will bring the edible oil prices down by PKR50/KG
He said the government is taking steps to provide direct cash subsidy to the marginalized segments of the society on sugar, flour, ghee and pulses. He said this program to be launched next month will benefit 12.50 million households which is about 40-42% of the whole population.
Shaukat Tarin said efforts are also afoot to reduce the big profit margins of the middlemen. He said we are trying to revive price control committees which will benefit the common man. He said strategic reserves of essential commodities are also being built to ensure price stability and prevent profiteering and hoarding.
The Finance Minister said Kamyab Pakistan Program is being launched by the end of this month to uplift the weak segments of the society. He said this program will provide easy loans for businesses and in the agriculture sector.
Farrukh Habib said the government has not fully passed on the impact of increase in international prices of essential commodities to the masses. He said effort has been made to extend relief to the people. He said the world has appreciated Pakistan’s handling of Covid-19.
Jamshed Iqbal Cheema said our oil, wheat and sugar prices are lowest in the region.
