ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday directed for a strict vigilance over availability of essential commodities during Ramazan.

The prime minister also directed continuation of legal proceedings against the profiteers and hoarders during the holy month. He was chairing a high-level meeting to review availability of daily use items and their prices during Ramazan, PM office’s media wing in a press release said.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Minister for Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam, Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan, PM’s Special Assistants Dr Sania Nishtar, Dr Shahbaz Gill, secretaries concerned, chairman FBR, chief commissioner Islamabad and managing director Utility Stores Corporation (USC). Provincial chief secretaries attended the meeting through video links.

The managing director USC told the meeting that 20kg wheat flour bag was available at Rs 800, sugar per 1kg at Rs68 and ghee per 1kg at Rs170 at all the outlets across the country.

The meeting was also apprised that on daily basis 2600 tons flour, 2000 tons of sugar and 1200 tons of ghee were being sold at the USC outlets.

The chief commissioner Islamabad said that “Sasta bazaars” had been established at different places of the Capital.

Due to coronavirus situation, these items were also available in mobile vans, he added.

Chief secretaries Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said that availability of sufficient amount of wheat flour and sugar was ensured at fixed prices.

Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan said that no unannounced load-shedding would be carried out during Sehar and Iftar timings.

The prime minister also directed for ensuring observance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) during the Ramazan bazaars.