ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Friday directed the Ministry of Industries to open 1,000 new outlets of Utility Stores in remote areas of the country. He said the provision of food items at affordable prices was one of the top most priorities of the government.
At a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and President of Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Prime Minister said directions had also been issued to the Benazir Income Support Programme for evolving a system for provision of 10 percent discount at Utility Stores to the Benazir Debit cardholders. He urged the media to play its role in identifying elements, who hoard essential items and thus fuel prices artificially.
Chaudhry Pervez Elahi informed the Prime Minister the Ministry of Industries was working on a plan on fast-track basis for increasing the number of Utility Stores and extending the network to Union Council level. The Utility Stores Corporation had successfully demonstrated it could provide relief to low-income groups by providing basic necessities on demand at affordable prices. -Dailytimes
