Dar orders crackdown on hoarding, essential goods ...

Summary

• Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has directed authorities to take strict action against hoarding, artificial shortages and overpricing of essential commodities as the government reviews supplies and market prices across the country.
• However, average inflation during the first quarter of the current fiscal year remained at 10.2 per cent, while consumer prices increased by 1.3 per cent during September.
• It has also been releasing 3,000 metric tonnes of government wheat from strategic reserves to flour mills daily to improve supplies.

AI Generated Summary

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has directed authorities to take strict action against hoarding, artificial shortages and overpricing of essential commodities as the government reviews supplies and market prices across the country.

Dar issued the instructions while chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Essential Commodities in Islamabad on Friday. The meeting reviewed available stocks, supply arrangements and prices to assess whether domestic demand could be met without disruption.

Officials informed the committee that sufficient stocks of essential commodities were available to meet domestic requirements. They also reported that no shortages were expected and that prices were showing signs of stabilisation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dar directed relevant federal and provincial authorities to closely monitor supply chains and commodity prices to protect consumers. He stressed that those involved in hoarding goods, creating artificial shortages or charging excessive prices would face strict action.