ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has directed to ensure smooth supply of wheat at affordable prices across the country.

Chairing weekly meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee in Islamabad on Monday, he instructed Secretary National Food Security and Research to hold a meeting with Chief Ministers of all provinces to keep a check on the prices of wheat flour to avoid any artificial price hike.

The Committee was informed that sugarcane crushing season has ended and the overall production is higher as compared to the last year. The Finance Minister directed Provincial governments and other stakeholders to provide estimates regarding additional demand for sugar for effective planning during the current year.

Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar told the meeting that Utility Stores Corporation would ensure availability of ghee at a subsidized price under "Ramadan Relief Package" through its chain of outlets during the holy month.

The Finance Minister appreciated the provision of basic items by the Utility Stores Corporation at subsidized rates and directed MD USCs to ensure availability of essential items at respective outlets across the country.

He reiterated government's commitment to provide maximum relief to the general public through provision of basic commodities at fair prices.

The NPMC reviewed the price trend of essential commodities especially wheat flour, sugar, tomatoes, vegetable ghee, chicken and eggs during the last week. The weekly SPI recorded a decrease of 0.57 percent wherein prices of seven basic items registered a decline and 18 commodities remained stable.