Issue of taxes on commodities must be discussed at ECC forum: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan directed Monday that the matter pertaining to taxes on essential commodities should be discussed in the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet so as to devise a strategy in that regard.

While chairing a meeting to review the prices of essential commodities especially wheat, sugar, potato, tomato, onions, and pulses, and to bring stability in their prices for providing relief to the poor and vulnerable, the meeting decided that Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces should immediately review the proposals to reduce the price of wheat.

The meeting directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Ministry of Industries and Production and Commerce to develop a mechanism in consultation, with regard to wheat, sugar, pulses and other essential items requirement projection.

The meeting also decided to double the government wheat procurement target in the current year to maintain demand and supply in the market.

On the issue of sugar price, the meeting decided that sugar advisory board would determine the sugar price through third-party evaluation in order to get help in determining appropriate price of the commodity.

In view of changes in the price of ghee in the international market, the meeting directed the Commerce Division to develop a mechanism in consultation with stakeholders to pass on the benefit of low prices to the consumers.

The meeting also directed to ensure that smuggling of essential commodities through western/eastern border should be prevented.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Planning and Development Asad Umar, Advisor on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor on Commerce, Razzak Dawood and Minister for National Food Security and Research as well as senior officials.