LAHORE: The current government is making all-out efforts to facilitate the masses but keeping petroleum prices unchanged has sent wrong signals to the IMF.

This was revealed by economist Dr Noor Fatima, while reacting to the government’s decision to keep the petroleum prices unchanged.

Dr Noor Fatima maintained that while Pakistan is once again gearing up to re-initiate talks with the IMF to restart the bailout programme, it is necessary to immediately impose a ban on the luxury items.

Environmental expert Dr Ejaz Ahmad said while food insecurity is among the biggest challenges faced by the world, there is a dire need to devise long-term solutions with solid plans.

According to him, the climate change has resulted in water scarcity in the entire region and Pakistan is among the countries expected to be more affected due to it. Planting trees can minimize the effects of climate change and the projects like billion Tsunami Trees must continue as trees and plants are the prime source of environmental purification and beautification.

Former ambassador Najam-ud-Din Sheikh said the developing countries like Pakistan will be badly affected due to climate change and around 30 million tons of wheat flour is needed annually to feed our population.

He claimed that the agriculture experts are predicting that production of wheat will drop to 20 percent due to climate change. It is high time for the policymakers to reorient their food security strategy, he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022