ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday came down hard over the senior officials of the federal and provincial governments and directed the bureaucracy to take action against those government officials who failed to bring down prices of the daily-use commodities.
Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, Minister for Production & Industries Khurso Bakhtyar, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Minister for Food & Agriculture Fakhar Imam, Advisor for Commerce Abdur Razzak Dawood, State Minister for Information Farrukh Habib, Special Assistants to PM Dr Shahbaz Gul, Dr Sania Nishtar also attended the meeting.
According to informed sources, while chairing a meeting held to review inflation and prices of daily-use items, Prime Minister Imran Khan got annoyed with senior bureaucrats who started presenting the lists of suspended officials in government departments for their failure to control inflation and skyrocketing prices.
However, Prime Minister Imran Khan interrupted and scolded the officials, terming the suspension as a traditional tool to fool him.
“Expressing anger, the Prime Minister asked whether the suspension of government officials has solved the problem. He cautioned senior bureaucrats and secretaries of relevant departments to avoid traditional tactics and take steps to address the issues faced by the ordinary and poor citizens,” an official source told Pakistan Today.
The official said that the protection of the common man is the top priority of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government.
“This action is insufficient. I should be informed of the results rather than informing me about suspending officials,” directed the premier.
The Prime Minister was given a comparative overview of basic commodity prices. The meeting was also briefed on sugar and wheat stocks and measures to meet future needs.
The Punjab chief secretary apprised the meeting of the administrative steps being taken regarding bringing down prices. It was said in the briefing that action was being taken against the negligent officers in stabilizing prices and so far seven Assistant Commissioners, two Secretaries of Market Committees, two Deputy Commissioners have been warned while others suspended.
It was said during the briefing that the issues with the stakeholders are in the final stages for the reduction of edible oil prices.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the common man is affected by the prices of essential commodities. He said that action against administrative officers alone was not enough while the results of administrative measures should be made public so that the people could get relief.
The PM said that timely steps should be taken, keeping in view the needs of sugar and wheat.
