PM Shehbaz directs stern action against hoarders, profiteers

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said strict action would be taken against hoarders and those who charge excessive rates of the basic commodities.

He was chairing an important meeting regarding ensuring the availability of basic food items and stability in their prices during the Holy month of Ramadan in Islamabad on Monday.

The Prime Minister directed the concerned authorities that cleaning operation in markets should be initiated before Ramadan.

The Prime Minister said on the occasion that action will also be taken against the concerned officers if they failed to provide the items of daily use in their areas.

Shehbaz Sharif said supply of quality items should be ensured at utility stores across the country.

He also ordered to set up "Sastay Ramadan Bazaars" across the country. The Prime Minister said modern technology should be used to control the prices in Ramadan Bazaars.

The Prime Minister was briefed that there is no shortage of food items including wheat anywhere in the country.

Earlier in the day,  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the government decided to divert ample resources to youth to help them become self-sufficient and contribute towards the development of the country.

In his video message on ‘Youth Week’, the prime minister said an inclusive approach would be extended to the youth in order to mainstream them. He said agriculture and other sectors have also been included in this program.

Shehbaz Sharif said the government has declared 2023 as the year of the youth, where several projects aimed at their emancipation are being launched.

He said events would be held across the country to encourage the participation of youth comprising 68 percent of the population.

The prime minister recalled that his party launched various projects for the youth in last 10 years including the Punjab Education Endowment Fund, soft loans, and scholarships.

He said the youth programme had been extended keeping in view their significant human resource in national development.Shehbaz Sharif said the country was facing the immense economic problems when he assumed the power last year. The floods further added to the woes.

Shehbaz Sharif said sixty eight percent of our population consists of the youth which cannot be ignored.

He said laptops would be distributed among the distinguished students.