Punjab govt fixes sugar price at Rs 72 per kg

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Lahore—Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting here Friday regarding provision of sugar to the people at a reasonable rate. Member National Assembly Afzal Khokhar, Members Provincial Assembly Zaeem Qadri, Dr Saeed Elahi, Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner Lahore Division were present. Matters regarding lifting of sugar from Karachi port, its supply to different parts of the province and price trend of sugar in the market were discussed in detail in the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that the Punjab government will lift 1.5 lakh ton of sugar from Karachi port and arrangements have been finalized to bring sugar to Punjab and its supply to various parts of the province. He said that provision of sugar to the people at Rs 72 per kg should be ensured by tomorrow evening and strict action should be taken against those indulging in overcharging. He said that hoarding of sugar will not be tolerated and such elements should immediately bring their stock in the market to earn a good name. He appreciated the measures taken by Food Minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor and Secretary Food Irfan Elahi to lift sugar from Karachi. He directed the Chief Secretary to evolve a strategy to ensure supply and sale of sugar at the price fixed by the government and Divisional Commissioners should also be issued instructions in this regard.

Earlier, the Chief Secretary, while giving a briefing on sugar supply from Karachi and its market prices said that price of sugar is falling in the market and it will be further reduced after its supply from Karachi reaches the province. He said that sugar will be provided to the people at Rs 72 per kg. He said that Punjab has taken the lead in lifting sugar from Karachi and Provincial Food Minister and Secretary Food are in Karachi for this purpose.

Moreover, Chairman Service Group Ch. Ahmed Saeed met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here today and presented a cheque for Rs. 47.5 million for the construction of model villages for the flood affectees.

The Chief Minister appreciated the humanitarian spirit of Ch. Ahmed Saeed and said that he will be rewarded by Allah Almighty for his commitment and dedication to the rehabilitation of the flood victims. He said that Punjab government has evolved a comprehensive programme for the rehabilitation of flood affectees and model villages are being constructed for the calamity-stricken people expeditiously. He said that philanthropists are donating generously to the flood relief fund set up by him and these donations are being spent only on the construction of model villages.

Meanwhile, a cheque for Rs. 15 lakh was presented to the Chief Minister by Nighat Ahmed, Salahuddin, Wasif Siddique and Jaffar Hussain on behalf of the staff and students of Professional Academy of Commerce for the rehabilitation of flood victims. They also paid tributes to the Chief Minister for his efforts and commitment for the relief and rehabilitation of flood affectees.