ISLAMABAD, Aiming to alleviate economic burdens on the masses, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has mandated swift actions to ensure the benefits of recent reductions in petroleum prices are conveyed to the general public. This directive came during a meeting he led, focusing on welfare initiatives in light of these price cuts.
According to a new release by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, during this Islamabad-based session, Mr. Kakar took a stringent stance against illicit profiteering, emphasizing the imperative of clamping down on smugglers and hoarders. He commended the success of ongoing operations against power theft and smuggling, highlighting their tangible benefits to everyday citizens.
Highlighting fiscal achievements, the Prime Minister disclosed that a notable sum of 41 billion rupees had been conserved, attributed to the rupee’s stability against the dollar and the curtailed petroleum prices. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring these savings directly impact the average Pakistani.
There was a particular focus on regional developments, with the Prime Minister acknowledging a marked price decrease of 18% and 16% in wheat and sugar respectively in Balochistan. The broader meeting insights revealed that on a national scale, the prices for 24 crucial items had seen reductions. Furthermore, due to coordinated administrative maneuvers, significant cost reductions are in progress across sectors, including agriculture, energy, housing, and industry.
Highlighting technological advancements in governance, the Ministry of Planning was noted to employ the ‘Decision Support System for Inflation’ application, an instrument for monitoring essential item prices. Additionally, transportation costs have reportedly reduced by an average of 10% across provinces, a change attributed to provincial administrative interventions.
The meeting concluded with updates from the provincial leadership. Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries provided insights into measures their regional governments are undertaking to further economic relief for their constituents.