ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed government economic team to suggest out-of-box solutions for reducing burden of indirect taxes and to ensure balance between state revenue and expenditure.

Chairing a meeting on steps to bring down prices of essential commodities in Islamabad todya, he directed Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh to minutely look into wheat procurement process and various administrative costs that are contributing towards raising the prices of wheat.

The Prime Minister said his foremost priority is to provide maximum relief to the poor segments of society. He said every effort should be made to lessen burden of indirect taxes and provide relief to the people.

Discussing wheat and flour prices, the Prime Minister directed that every single penny, being spent in unnecessary administrative expenditures, must be saved.

Finance Minister apprised the Prime Minister that a comprehensive and efficient plan is being prepared for wheat procurement and rationalization of administrative costs involved in the process.

SAPM Dr Waqar Masood briefed the Prime Minister about duty structure on imported edible oil and pulses. He also presented a comparative analysis with other regional countries.