Price Stability
Caretaker Minister for Planning, Muhammad Sami Saeed, took a proactive stance on ensuring price stability across provinces, urging Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Assistant Commissioners (ACs) to rigorously employ the Decision Support System (DSS) app developed by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). This directive was emphasized during a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), chaired by Minister Saeed in Islamabad.
The NPMC meeting, as outlined in a recent press release, addressed various aspects of the economic landscape, focusing on the prices and supply of essential commodities, the margin between wholesale and retail prices, and the overall availability of crucial items in the market. The Chief Statistician from the PBS presented a comprehensive overview of the price movement of 51 essential items gathered from 17 cities.
Minister Saeed underscored the importance of participants’ roles in ensuring price stability across provinces. He called for their oversight in monitoring the supply of essential items, assessing available stock levels, and closely scrutinizing pricing mechanisms. Recognizing the critical role of administrative oversight, Minister Saeed stressed its significance in maintaining price stability.
The meeting also delved into the potential use of remote sensing technology facilitated by SUPARCO (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission) for enhanced monitoring of cropped areas and a more precise understanding of the likely supply situation of essential food items. Minister Saeed encouraged the exploration and implementation of remote sensing capabilities to strengthen monitoring and oversight capacities.
Continuing the discussion, Minister Saeed highlighted the need for ongoing vigilance and proactive measures to ensure a smooth supply chain and address fluctuations in commodity prices. The meeting saw participation from representatives of the Ministry of Industries and Commerce, Utility Stores, and provincial governments, reflecting a collaborative effort to address economic challenges and promote stability in essential commodity prices.
