Government vows action against all those behind flour crisis

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Saturday said that strict action will be taken against those involved in wheat flour crisis as Prime Minister Khan has been given a detailed briefing on it. Speaking at a press conference after the Prime Minister chaired a meeting here at Bani Gala, she said the meeting reviewed progress on the steps being taken to provide relief to people and identify as well as address the gaps in this process.

She said the meeting was informed about the action taken against the elements involved in wheat flour crisis, adding the Punjab government fined the responsible people and also suspended the officials involved in creating the crisis.

"The provincial governments have been directed to take steps on a war footing to address the factors causing inflation," she added. She said the Prime Minister reminded his team that they came to power to provide relief and ensure provision of due rights to people.

She said PM Khan told the participants that no negligence in provision of relief will be tolerated. Speaking about the ongoing accountability process, Awan said the process will continue with same momentum as there is zero tolerance against corruption and corrupt practices.

The sources privy to the development told Business Recorder that the Prime Minister was also briefed about the reservations of the allied political parties, especially PML-Q and MQM-Pakistan.

According to them, the Prime Minister directed some senior ministers of the party to resolve the genuine issues of the allies, but reiterated "no one can blackmail me [Khan] with the number game of his party in the Parliament." The meeting also discussed the recent development pertaining to travel advisories by different countries especially the UK. The Prime Minister directed the concerned minister to make all-out efforts to boost the tourism industry.

Moreover, issues such as inflation, bad governance and matters of provincial governments also came under discussion.

Awan said the government has decided to observe 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' which falls on Feb 5 to send a message across the globe that it will continue support to their Kashmiri brethren.

She said that Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired an important meeting and reiterated unflinching support to the Kashmiri brethren in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

The Prime Minister directed the government and the party leadership to make all the preparations to observe 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' on February 05 to reiterate full solidarity with people of IOK in their struggle for the right to self-determination.

"We'll send a strong message to the world community on Feb 5 that people of Pakistan will stand by their Kashmiri brethren in their struggle to achieve their globally-acknowledged right to self-determination as enshrined in UN resolutions on Kashmir issue," she added.

She called upon the nation to send a strong message of support to Kashmiri people and jolt the world conscience to seek its role in stopping Indian atrocities in the occupied region.

"The Kashmir cause is our top priority. The Prime Minister has desired nationwide support to Kashmiri people and activities in this regard have been started from February 01 that would continue beyond February 05," she stated.

She said besides observing the day at government level, the party leadership has been directed to observe the day at district, tehsil and municipal committees levels as well so that people within the country and abroad may realise the gravity of situation in Occupied Kashmir.