ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday directed preparation of a comprehensive food security plan and increase agriculture productivity to make the country self-sufficient to meet the food requirements of the population and reduce the food import bill.

The prime minister directed this while chairing a meeting on the prices and availability of essential commodities especially wheat and sugar.

Finance and Revenue Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh informed the meeting that as per the SPI there was a decline in the prices of tomatoes, onion, and chicken meat, and price of vegetables ghee would also decrease in the next few weeks.

The meeting was also informed about the release of wheat and about the decision of the ECC for import of sugar and its impact on the sugar price.

The prime minister directed to make preparation and taking of measures before time to ensure uninterrupted availability of commodities at low prices during the Ramzan.

The meeting was also briefed about preparation to import wheat in the light of forecast of wheat production in the next year.

The meeting emphasised the need for taking measures by the provinces to increase the production of wheat and sugar, and to bring about stability in the prices.

The prime minister also directed to make sure availability of essential commodities at the Utility Stores Corporation (USC).

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021