Hamza Shahbaz presides over meeting of Price Control Committee Punjab

Lahore: Member National Assembly Hamza Shahbaz Sharif has said that government machinery has been activated to ensure that the benefits of record decrease in the prices of petroleum products should reach the common man. He directed that concerned departments should develop a mechanism for immediate reduction in the transport fares and rates of essential items in ratio with the decrease in the prices of petroleum products.

He was presiding over a meeting of Price Control Committee with regard to impact of decrease in the prices of petroleum products on the rates of essential items at Central Secretariat of PML-N Model Town today. Provincial Ministers Col. (Retd.) Shuja Khanzada, Bilal Yasin, Rana Sanaullah, Kh. Ahmed Hassan and senior officers of various departments were present.

The meeting was informed about the measures taken by Transport, Labour & Human Resource, Agri Marketing and other departments to ensure reduction in transport fares and prices of essential items including fruits and vegetables as well as supply of petrol and diesel.

Hamza Shahbaz Sharif said that prices of petroleum products are being further reduced next month. He said that the promises made by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif are being honoured through reducing prices of daily use items in the wake of reduction in the prices of petroleum products. He said that a trend of decrease in inflation rate is being witnessed in Pakistan first time in the last ten years. He said that the leadership of the country is following public welfare policies and it can be judged from the fact that Indian government has not yet transferred the benefits of decline in the prices of petroleum products in the international markets to the masses while Muslim League-N government has taken immediate steps in this regard.

He said that concerned departments and administration should also include public representatives in the efforts to reduce price-hike as it will yield more effective results. He said that due to reduction in the cost of production and transportation of vegetables, fruits and agri items, their prices should decrease immediately. He directed concerned authorities that as transport fares and prices of essential items increase rapidly as a result of increase in the rates of petroleum products, reduction in their prices should also be made at the same speed and concerned departments should evolve a mechanism in this regard so that immediate relief could be provided to the masses.

Hamza Shahbaz directed officers of concerned departments to fix complaints boxes at petrol pumps besides display helpline number prominently for registration of complaints by the citizens. He said that stern action should be taken against petrol pump owners who are reluctant to reduce prices of petroleum products. He said that Labour Department officers should also undertake strict checking of quality and quantity of petrol.

He directed officers of Agri Marketing Department to make comprehensive planning regarding demand and area of cultivation of agri items as well as expected problems. He said that media should also be used for promoting public awareness regarding the decrease in the prices of daily use items.