PM reviews progress to prevent food commodities’ smuggling

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that smuggling of food commodities is a menace to the country’s economy as it poses a threat to the country’s food security causing the public to suffer because of a shortage of basic necessities. Prime Minister Imran Khan said this while presiding over a high-level meeting here on Monday to review progress on prevention of smuggling of food commodities. The Prime Minister said there would be no concession or compromise on the action against smuggling. He directed all relevant departments to submit reports on the prevention of smuggling and action taken against those involved in the act after every 15 days so that progress in this regard may be continuously monitored. The provincial chief secretaries apprised Khan on the situation of wheat production, harvesting and overall situation. The meeting also reviewed the prices of basic commodities, and the provincial chief secretaries also briefed the Prime Minister in detail about the steps taken to bring down these prices. Reports on action taken against hoarders and profiteers by the provincial governments were also presented to the Prime Minister. Minister for Economic Affairs Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister for Industries Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Advisor on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Special Assistant on Revenue Dr Waqar Masood and other senior officers attended the meeting. The provincial chief secretaries participated in the meeting through video link. TLTP