Provincial govts told to ensure wheat, sugar availability.

ISLAMABAD -- Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has directed provincial governments to follow a self-sustaining model and streamline daily release of wheat in provinces as well as in districts to ensure steady supply of the commodity.

The minister issued this directive while chairing the meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) on Monday. Minister for National Food Security Fakhar Imam, Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar, Commerce Adviser Razak Dawood, Special Assistant on Revenue Dr Waqar Masood and provincial chief secretaries also attended the meeting.

An official statement issued after the meeting said that the finance minister also directed the Ministry of Food Security to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to ensure smooth supply of wheat flour at reasonable rates for the general public. He also asked the provincial...