Federal govt will not allowing private sector to import wheat because it wants to save every penny of the national exchequer: PM Shehbaz
ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has urged all provincial governments to cooperate with the federal government beyond all political affiliations to mitigate the sufferings of flood affected people of the country.
PM Shehbaz Sharif stated this while chairing a meeting of National Flood Response and Coordination Centre in Islamabad on Thursday. The Prime Minister said as wheat sowing season begins, therefore seeds will be provided to farmers of flood hit areas.
He said that federal and provincial governments will bear the cost at 50 percent share each. He added that NDMA is procuring very good quality seeds. He said provincial governments of Sindh and Balochistan have selected districts where they need federal government’s relief but Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab have refused to accept this.
The Prime Minister urged the two provincial governments to cooperate with federal government so that no shortage of wheat occurs. He said the federal government will not allowing private sector to import wheat because it wants to save every penny of the national exchequer. He said that here is difficult matter of foreign exchange, adding that we are facing an emergency and in this situation we could not afford even to spend an extra dollar.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said that we received first bid of $440 dollar for wheat import but I rejected it with consultation with some friends and second bid came of $404 and we saved $30 per tonne on that consignment. PM said we secured discount from the lowest bidder while negotiating with him and saved billions of rupees. He said that now the wheat prices have come to $350 to $360. PM said that he will not allow private sector to import wheat, adding that if there are normal circumstances in the country he could permit private sector to import wheat with consultations but he could not allow at this point of time. He said that this will not happen and this shall not happen.
Shehbaz Sharif said the government was filling the gap between wheat supply and demand caused during last four years. He made it clear that nobody will be allowed to misuse this calamitous situation and earn profits or do hoardings.
He said distribution of cash relief assistance amount among families of those who died, injured or were affected in any other way during floods is underway in a transparent manner.
The Prime Minister said other essential items like tents, medicines, food packages, water and mosquito nets have been distributed across the country as per the requirement of every flood affected area.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said China is to provide us high quality winter tents for upcoming cold weather.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister directed the officials concerned to finalize and approve project cycles for development work in flood affected areas within four days.
He also issued instructions to complete the comprehensive rehabilitation plan for the flood victims to be presented to the international donors.
The meeting was attended by Chairman National Flood Response and Coordination Centre, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority and senior officials of relevant departments. Chief Minister Sindh and Chief Secretaries of provinces participated in the meeting via video link.
The meeting was told that comprehensive planning for rehabilitation of flood victims is in its final stages and a detailed Post Disaster Need Assessment report prepared with the collaboration of federal government, provincial governments and international organizations will be presented on 24th of this month.
The Chairman NDMA briefed the meeting about rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures and said that along with providing tents, mosquito nets and ration to the flood-affected areas, provision of boats and pumps for water drainage are also being ensured.
He told that provision of generators has been ensured in the areas where electricity supply is obstructed.
Chief Secretary Balochistan apprised the meeting of problems faced by flood victims due to cold weather, upon which the Prime Minister issued instructions for immediate delivery of special cold resistant tents donated by China for flood victims in cold areas.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to take all necessary steps for provision of relief to gas consumers in winter season.
Chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, he directed to keep a close eye on gas demand and supply in the winter season.
The Prime Minister also directed to reduce reliance on imported fuel for the electricity generation, and that indigenous resources be utilized to provide cheap electricity to the people. The Ministry of Energy apprised the meeting of the gas demand and supply in winter season.