- The prices of essential items have increased sharply, explains the president of the PBF.
- Ramadan is time for reflection, charity and unity: PBF
- Business Forum requests the prices regulation of essential items.
Looking for subsidies on basic necessities and the implementation of government fixed prices, Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) demanded the hoarding and profit of government control before Ramadan.
PBF president Khawaja Mehboo Ur Rehman wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in this regard, asking for a strict action against holes and market manipulators.
“I write on behalf of Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) to draw your attention to the growing concerns of market manipulation and hoarding essential products during Ramadan.
“As you know, Ramadan is a period of reflection, charity and unity for all Muslims. However, in recent years, the situation in Pakistan has been far from what it should be. The prices Essential articles have increased sharply during this period, which makes it difficult for the average citizen to afford fundamental necessities, “he wrote.
The first day of the Islamic month of the month should fall on February 28 or March 1, depending on the observation of the moon.
Mehboob said that unlike developed countries where the prices of essential items have often dropped during Ramadan to relieve the masses, Pakistan had unfortunately seen the opposite trend.
A notable example was the recent increase in the price of sugar, “which increased from RS25 per kilogram,” he said.
The president of the PBF said that the sharp increase in prices was artificially handled by certain holers, in particular in Punjab, which deliberately created shortages to increase demand and prices.
The Business Forum requested strict action to regulate the prices of essential items, “taking care to be sold at rates forced by the government”.
It was also crucial that the government has strengthened the surveillance mechanisms to prevent hoarding and manipulation of the market, he added.
“We urge your right office to issue strict instructions to all chief secretaries to ensure compliance with government prices and apply regulations on essential articles during Ramadan. Such measures will greatly contribute to relieving the financial burden of the inhabitants of Pakistan, in particular in these difficult times, “demanded the president of the PBF.