ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh has directed the provincial governments to continue momentum of strict price monitoring for provision of basic items at affordable prices across Pakistan.

He was chairing a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee in Islamabad.

The National Price Monitoring Committee reviewed price trend of essential commodities especially wheat, sugar, eggs and edible oil.

Secretary Finance briefed NPMC that prices of wheat and eggs have registered downward trend due to coordinated and consolidated efforts of the Provincial governments.

Briefing the committee about existing wheat stock in the country, Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam assured that all possible measures will be taken to ensure uninterrupted supply of wheat at affordable prices.

Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar apprised the meeting that production of sugar is likely to increase this year due to improved sugarcane crushing activity and would eventually release pressure on upward price trend. Hammad Azhar also briefed NPMC about the steps being taken to control the prices of edible oil.