ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has said that the government has taken all-out steps including allowed duty free import of potatoes to reduce its price in the country.
During a briefing the Ministry of National Food Security, the finance minister was informed that the hoarders, speculators and middlemen were involved in artificially manipulation of prices of potato.
It was further informed that if the federal government did not allow the duty free import of potatoes then the prices of potato could have been skyrocketed during the month of Ramazan.
On the occasion, the minister sensitized the provincial governments to take necessary steps including forcing hoarders to release stocks and setting up of Sasta Bazaars to bring down prices of essential commodities in general and particularly potato,” the finance ministry statement stated.
It is further emphasized that it is due to import of potatoes at zero regulatory duty and exemption from income and sales tax, the prices remained stable. If government had not taken these steps, the price in Ramazan would have been double of current level,” the statement concluded.
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