SIALKOT, January 19: Special Advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Sunday dismissed wheat crisis as negative propaganda.
Addressing media in Sialkot, Awan said it was pertinent to curb the negative propaganda concerning a wheat crisis in the country. She dismissed reports that a 20-kg flour bag was being sold at Rs805 and underscored that the government would never allow it.
Awan said action was being taken against hoarders and those selling flour at high rates. She claimed a fake shortage was being created to up the price. “The premier has promised he will not spare the hoarders.”
She said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government has launched a helpline to combat “inflation mafia”. “PM Imran green-lighted supply of 400,000 tonnes of wheat to Sindh but the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government only acquired 100,000 tonnes. Their failure to supply wheat to the flour mills has resulted in a price hike.”
“60 per cent of the country’s wheat is produced and stocked in Punjab,” she said. “Punjab is supplying around 23,390 ton of wheat to 814 flour mills on a daily basis through 368 selling points and 181 truck stations.”
