ISLAMABAD - The federal government has decided to start direct subsidy programme for poor segment of society. The decision to this effect was taken in core committee meeting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), held in Islamabad with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair.  

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Imran Khan said he is aware of difficulties faced by poor people due to inflation in the country. He said the government is expanding the scope of Sehat Card, Kisan Card and Ehsaas program. He expressed reservations over the shortage of flour in Sindh.

Earlier, Special Assistant for Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the Prime Minister on the Ehsaas Targeted Subsidy Programme. She briefed that through this program, Ehsaas eligible families will receive discounts on purchase from grocery stores on specific items.

Later, briefing the media, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said PTI leadership from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh attended the meeting. He said Prime Minister has directed the authorities to take immediate steps to provide relief to the middle class.

The Minister said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab are ready to participate in Ehsaas Subsidy Program.

He said the government desires that Sindh and Balochistan also become program’s part.

 

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said due to continuous delay in the release of wheat by the Sindh government, 20 kg bag of flour in the province is 400 rupees more expensive than in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said the Prime Minister will announce huge programs in coming days.

 

Also, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the provincial and central leadership to immediately kick off mass contact campaign. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary after the meeting told the media that the core committee discussed the local government elections in Punjab with special focus.

 

The PM also directed the party leadership to prepare schedules of the local government elections so that the party could  win the local government elections with proper homework.

 

Earlier, PM Imran Khan chaired meeting to discuss the prevailing economic situation in the country and price hike.

Adviser to PM on Finance Shaukat Tarin  joined the meeting from Washington  through video link.

The Information Minister told the media that the PM directed for immediate provision of economic relief to  most affected people in the country and also directed SAPM Sania Nishtar  to expand the scope of the Ehsaas program subsidy to vulnerable segments of the society.

The Information Minister said Punjab and KP provinces are ready to be part of the program and offered Sindh and Balochistan to be part of this program.

“The price of 20 kg flour bag in Sindh is four hundred rupees higher than in Punjab and KP which is of great concern for us”, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary said.

He also said the Sindh government has not released the  wheat to flour mills which became the reason  for the price hike of flour.

“We have been stressing upon the Sindh government to release more wheat to flour mills so that the price of the flour could be reduced”, Fawad Ch said. He expressed the hope that after the sugarcane crushing season begins there would be immediate decline in the sugar price followed by reduction in the price of flour in Punjab and KP. Fawad Ch said the Prime Minister would announce major economic relief programs in the days to  come for the public.

“If prices of food items witness a gradual decline which went high due to rise in petroleum prices earlier, it would provide relief to the common man,” the Information Minister remarked.