No shortage of essential commodities in country: Hammad Azhar

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar has asserted that there was no shortage of essential commodities in the country.

Talking to journalists in Islamabad today (Friday), Hammad Azhar said that supply chains of essential items were open to ensure their availability across the country.

Commenting on the hoarders, Hammad Azhar said that the federal government was bringing new legislation in the next few days to take strict action against the hoarders.

He further said that nobody would be allowed to exploit the ongoing coronavirus situation, adding that under the legislation, those involved in the hoarding would be arrested.

The federal minister also announced that the subsidies on essential commodities would continue even after the month of Ramazan.

Hammad Azhar said that Utility Stores Corporation was being used to stabilise the prices of essential commodities in the open market.

He also said that under the Ramazan package, the subsidy was being given to the consumers on nineteen items through various Utility outlets.

The federal minister also announced, “Government has given additional 50 billion rupees to the Utility Stores Corporation to maintain adequate sufficient stocks.”

“Currently, 200 mobile utility stores are operational and efforts are afoot to further expand them so that the people of far-flung areas can also get essential items at reduced rates,” he added.