NewsGovt encourages dialogue with all political parties to hold transparent elections: Shaukat
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday said the government encourages dialogue with all the political parties and is committed to holding free, fair and transparent election in the country.
The Prime Minister, in a meeting with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain here at the PM House, reviewed the overall political situation in the country and discussed the presidential election and preparations for the upcoming general election in the country.
Ch. Shujaat Hussain said presidential election would be held strictly in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.
He said the party workers were actively engaged at grassroots level and fully prepared to participate in the general election.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said development and stronger economy allows the government to share benefits of its economic growth with the people of Pakistan by improving health care, education and infrastructure besides creating more jobs for the people.
The meeting also took note of the prevailing prices of essential items and vowed that the government will take every possible measure to maintain prices of essential items at a reasonable level before and during Ramadan.The meeting decided that the prices of flour, pulses, sugar, ghee and tea will be maintained at a reasonable level.
The measures taken in pursuance of the decisions taken at the last meeting of the federal cabinet were also reviewed.
The Prime Minister mentioned the letters written to the four Chief Ministers, advising them to release stocks of wheat to flour mills to ensure stabilization of prices of flour across the country.
The Prime Minister said a Rs 1.5 billion Ramadan subsidy package will also be available to the lower income groups through the Utility Stores Corporation and further subsidy will be considered if required. He said the number of Utility Stores in the country has increased to 2600.
He said that he has also advised all the Chief Ministers to effectively employ the Price Magistrates to ensure stability of prices of essential items in the local markets and a law to this effect has already been promulgated.
He said the provinces have also been advised to direct the local administration to set up daily bazaars and maintain close monitoring of the prices.
It has also been decided to impose ban on the export of wheat flour, maida and sooji through the sea route.
Prime Minister also reaffirmed that the hoarders and profiteers will not be allowed to raise prices of essential items and exploit the poor during Ramadan.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Information Muhammad Ali Durrani, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Sher Afgan Niazi and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azeem.
Courtesy Geo