ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhary on Friday blamed PPP-led Sindh government for hike in sugar and flour prices, saying that the country was suffering as a result of ‘bad economic policies’ of previous governments.
“To those who tell us that we always blame previous governments, we can’t fix their mismanagement in three years,” the information minister argued while addressing a press conference with Minister for Food and Research Syed Fakhar Imam.
Fawad said irresponsible policies of previous governments were the major reason of deteriorated economic situation in the country. “The PTI government had to pay back the debts incurred by previous governments,” he added.
The minister said that shortage of sugar was created by the PPP-led Sindh government by delaying the crushing season while the existing stock was also not been released accordingly its demand.
Chaudhry said that reports of a hike in prices were primarily coming from Karachi. “The cost of essential commodities in Karachi is extremely high,” he added. He noted that the price of a bag of wheat flour was Rs380 more in Karachi as compared to Punjab.
“The Sindh government needs to clarify its position. First, they didn’t release wheat and now they are delaying cane crushing. What is their agenda, what do they want?” Fawad asked.
“As you can see there is lawlessness in the province. There seems to be no trace of police officials and people are being murdered in broad daylight,” he said, referring to the alleged murder of a man at a PPP MPA’s farmhouse in Malir.
“We are striving for bringing down the prices of all basic utility items,” he said, pointing out that under mega relief package announced by the Prime Minister Imran Khan around 12 million families will be provided upto 30% subsidy on flour, oil and sugar.
According to Chaudhry, the PTI govt paid back $10 billion of loan during this year while $12 billion more was still pending. He urged the opposition to act responsibly in this critical situation instead of making useless hue and cry.
Taking over the presser, Syed Fakhar Imam said hoarding was the only reason of food shortage as the country witnessed record production in wheat, rice, maze and sugarcane.
He said there was no shortage of food items in the country, in fact the shortage was artificial that will be overcome soon. “We are making efforts to benefit our farmers and increase the production of all commodities through better policy formation and coordination with provincial governments,” he added.
