Govt plans 50,000 shops to sell subsidised goods

The government plans to provide jobs and daily-use items to people on subsidised rates, with 50,000 new retail shops to be opened.
Geo News, citing sources, reported that Rs25bn have been allocated for the programme in the first phase.
Citizens will get loans of up to Rs500,000 to open retail shops, with 1,500 such shops to be opened immediately.
The sources said that the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) will supply 60% of items to the retail shops, while the shops owners will arrange for the rest of items from the open market.
The government is counting on this plan to provide jobs to 50,000 families.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has also directed that a Rs7bn relief package to the utility stores be extended until the end of Ramadan.
He was informed that the utility stores need up to Rs10bn, after which he directed the concerned ministries to make the necessary arrangements.
Meanwhile, Khan said his government will announce various measures to reduce the price of basic food items for the common man at a meeting today.
The prime minister also said that the concerned government departments have begun a probe into hike in flour and sugar prices.
In a series of tweets, Khan acknowledged the difficulties faced by the ordinary people, and said there would be an announcement on a number of measures to provide relief to the masses.
“I understand the difficulties ordinary people incl salaried class are confronting and have decided, come what may, my govt will be announcing various measures that will be taken to reduce prices of basic food items for the common man in cabinet on Tuesday,” he wrote on his Twitter account.
The prime minister also wrote that “at the same time all the relevant govt agencies have begun doing an in-depth probe into the flour and sugar price hikes. The nation should rest assured that all those responsible will be held accountable and penalised.”
While chairing a meeting of his economic team on Sunday, the prime minister asserted that a government without compassion has no right to stay in power.
Khan hinted at his willingness to go to any extent to provide relief to the masses in terms of prices of essential commodities, including flour, rice, pulses, ghee, and sugar.
The prime minister has also has recently directed the provinces to take every possible step to check profiteering and hoarding of goods.
Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has also said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is taking all possible measures to provide relief to the masses.
Talking to local media, the minister said the government is aware of the problems faced by the masses.
Umar added that there is a dire need to bring down the prices of wheat and other commodities.
He said that inflation will be brought down this month, and that those involved in artificially raising prices will face strict action.
To a question on the shortage of wheat in different parts of the country, Umar said that the federal government had dispatched flour to Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as per their requirement.
About development works, the minister said the government would utilise all the funds allocated in the budget for development of neglected parts of the country.
The minister said water reservoirs, including Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu, would be constructed to generate cheap energy besides meeting the requirement of the agriculture sector.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that Prime Minister Khan is honouring all the promises and political commitments made during his election campaign.
Addressing a press conference here, she said that the premier’s struggle against the corrupt system and corrupt elements had entered into the final phase, and that his dream of a corruption-free Pakistan would come true soon.
Awan said that a status quo has been maintained in the country for the past 72 years.
She said the corrupt politicians used the law for their personal gain in past, she said, adding no one was above the law in “New Pakistan”.
Awan said those who had acquired assets through unfair means would be held accountable.