Islamabad: The second meeting of the Steering Committee for Assessment of Inflationary Trends in Pakistan convened today, led by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, as the government intensifies its efforts to stabilize prices and protect economically vulnerable households.

The Committee, established by the Prime Minister, continues to scrutinize the domestic and international factors influencing price dynamics. The Finance Minister emphasized that controlling inflation is a top priority to safeguard low-income households, particularly those affected by recent floods. He reiterated the Committee’s role in monitoring market developments, coordinating policy responses, and recommending measures to maintain purchasing power.

A thorough review of essential food items, guided by the Sensitive Price Index, was conducted. The Committee examined trends in key commodities such as onions, tomatoes, rice, wheat, sugar, and edible oil, assessing supply changes and stock positions across provinces and regions.

Encouraging signs emerged from the review, with sufficient wheat stocks available, excluding strategic reserves, and manageable damage to rice and sugarcane crops. The Finance Minister called for vigilance against market speculation to prevent artificial price hikes.

Preparations for the upcoming sowing season were also discussed. The Committee urged a proactive stance to ensure timely access to seeds and agricultural inputs. The Finance Minister directed relevant institutions to collaborate with provincial authorities for accurate crop damage assessments.

The meeting included Federal Secretaries and senior officials from various divisions and organizations, such as the State Bank of Pakistan and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The Chair announced that the Committee would reconvene next week to evaluate progress and implement additional measures for price stability.

Source: Press Information Department