ISLAMABAD, April 14: An ordinance against illegal profiteering, hoarding, and smuggling is set to be introduced very soon, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Broadcasting and Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference, Dr Awan said the Cabinet had ratified the Economic Coordination Committee’s (ECC) decisions and that strict punishment would be given to those who hoarded food items and grains, especially in light of the recent sugar and wheat crises.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had ordered a probe into the wheat and sugar crises earlier, had on April 5 vowed to take action against those responsible once a detailed forensic report of the preliminary findings was released.
“The ordinance against hoarding and profiteering was a legal bid aimed at the lower-level implementation of the PM’s vision to provide relief to the people,” Dr Awan stressed. “The Cabinet was also informed that a report on energy had been received by the PM Office.”
Speaking of the meeting earlier today, she said the Cabinet members apprised the prime minister of the distribution of cash in their respective constituencies. The PM lauded the district administrations’ efforts.
Among various recommendations, the ECC approved the fuel price adjustment, exemption of tax on necessary medical equipment, and a proposal to hand over the administration of Marghazar Zoo – now known as the Islamabad Zoo – to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, she added.
An increase in the allowances of the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) pensioners was, however, postponed, the special assistant said.
According to Dr Awan, PM Imran said the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme was initiated on the basis of merit and that revelant information would be available to the citizens through portal. The PM reiterated that efforts were being made to relieve people’s suffering, she added.
“We are working to make people’s lives easier,” the premier said, as per the special assistant, who adding that he was working on developing a road map in this regard.-Agencies
