Planning minister applauds price stability, urged relief for common man

ISLAMABAD: Planning and Development Minister Muhammad Sami Saeed expressed contentment regarding the stability of essential commodity prices during a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) on Thursday.

According to Dawn.com, during the meeting, Minister Saeed urged relevant departments to maintain a watchful eye on food prices to ensure relief for the general public.

Meanwhile, officials from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) shared price and inflation data, and representatives from various provinces provided updates on the production and supply of wheat, sugar, and other essential goods, which they deemed satisfactory.

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As per media reports, Minister Saeed stressed a strict stance against hoarding and profiteering, instructing provincial governments to involve commissioners, deputy commissioners, and magistrates in curbing such practices.

The meeting also stressed the importance of reducing the price gap between wholesale and retail prices of essential items to maximise relief for the common people.

It was noted that Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation had decreased by 450 basis points in October. However, the minister urged stakeholders to take necessary actions to control inflation.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Ministry Awais Manzur Sumra, the chief statistician of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the chief economist of Pakistan, representatives from all provinces, the Federal Board of Revenue, the Ministry of Food Security and Industries, and other relevant stakeholders.