Govt approves Rs15 bln relief package; fixes flour and sugar prices

The Federal Cabinet Committee meeting to discuss a comprehensive inflation control mechanism was presided over by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan concluded in Islamabad on Tuesday.

According to details, the Prime Minister addressed the attendees stating that the general public was already under duress due to the rising rate of inflation in the country and more weight cannot be added to their burden.

Prime Minister Imran Khan rejected proposed gas and electricity price hikes.

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Major decisions were also undertaken in the meeting, perhaps the biggest being the formal approval of a Rs 15 billion ‘relief package’ for the impoverished and middle-class citizenry of Pakistan.

The premier also postponed the plan of sugar import brought forth by the economic committee on commerce (ECC) whilst the cabinet ruled in the favour of stopping sugar exports. The premier was heard saying that he would not let the people suffer due to sugar and basic commodity shortages.

Read More: PM Imran approves relief package worth Rs15 bn to address inflation

The federal cabinet has approved to fix government rates of flour and sugar. The government approved setting the price of 20 kilograms flour sack at Rs805 and sugar rate at Rs70 per kilogram, whereas, cooking oil will be available at Rs175 per kilogram at utility stores across the country. The stores will also give Rs15-20 discount on pulses.

Another decision undertaken in the meeting was with regards to lentils where the cabinet agreed to end duty fee on lentil imports. The decision will impact lentil prices across the country and help bring them down significantly.

Under the Kamyab Jawan Programme, the government will release loans to youth for opening 50,000 mini utility stores where essential commodities will be sold on government-prescribed rates.