CM rules out sugar, flour crisis in the country, terms persisting crisis artificial

ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Shahbaz SharifShahbaz Sharif has ruled out the shortage of sugar and flour in the country and said that there are 3 million tons of stock available while there is also enough sugar stock in the country to fulfill the needs by 2010. He expressed these views while addressing the oath taking ceremony to the newly elected office bears of the National Press Club here in NPT on Wednesday. MNA Khawaja Asif and Anjum Aqeel Khan were also present on the occasion. While addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister ruled out the sugar and flour crisis and said that persisting crisis is artificial. He said that it was impossible to ensure provision of flour at each shop in Punjab due to limited resources, and said that provision of the 20 kg flour sack at the rate of Rs200 is just for the poor people. However, Punjab government has been directed to maintain discipline amid long queues at flour distribution points. Mian Shahbaz Sharif said that democracy has been restored in the country after the period of ten years and role of media in this connection can’t be ignored. He said that country was confronted with numerous internal and external challenges., and stressed upon the people from all walks of life to play their role in this regard.

Chief Minister said that IMF has once again started pressuring Pakistan to implement policies of its own choice. Chief Minister said that there is need of coordinated and loyal efforts to overcome the demand and supply of energy and instability in the economic sector.

He said that Chief Justice Lahore High Court, Justice Muhammad Khawaja Sharif is one of the honest and straightforward judge and his verdict of fixing sugar prices Rs40 per kg is correct, however, implementation on the decision and to protect investors from the loss, the federal government should take all stakeholders and mills owners on board for uniform prices across the country.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister also announced Rs3 million annual grant for the National Press Club and amount of Rs 1, 00,000 deduction in the actual cost of plots for the journalists who are drawing small salaries.

Chief Minister also announced that Punjab government would provide all expenditure for the renovation and beautification of the Media Housing Society.