Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed an inquiry committee headed by the Secretary Cabinet Division to probe into the matter of wheat import in the country.

Presiding over a high-level meeting regarding the current status of wheat reserves in the country, the prime minister inquired from the Ministry of National Food Security about the import of wheat last year.

Expressing surprise at the decision to import wheat despite a good harvest, he questioned the Ministry of National Food Security’s rationale behind the move.

Acknowledging the bumper crop this year, PM Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for swift action to ensure timely wheat procurement. He directed the authorities to take all necessary steps to facilitate the purchase process and compensate farmers for their hard work.

Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Jam Kamal Khan, PM’s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzaal and other high officials attended the meeting.

Lowest inflation rate

Earlier today, the premier, declaring the downward trend of inflation as a welcome news for the people, said that the inflation falling towards the lowest level in two years was a sign of improvement in the economy.

“This is the result of the hard work done during the 16 month-long government led by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and continued by the interim government,” he said.

The prime minister pointed out that the inflation rate had come down from the peak of 39% to 20% last month and then to 17% in the current month.

He said bringing down the inflation rate was the top priority of the government. “With the support of Allah Almighty, the people will get more relief in coming days after increase in the economic activities.”

He expressed the hope that the people might also get more relief by further cut in the petroleum prices which were on the downward trend in the international market.

The prime minister directed the provincial governments to ensure that impacts of fall in the petroleum prices reach the common people, besides taking special measures for the implementation of the rates of food items fixed by the Federal Government.

“With the blessings of the Almighty, the life standard of the people will further improve with further improvement in the economy,” he said. The government was trying its best to provide maximum relief to the people, the prime minister added.