PM on surprise visit to check prices
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister ShaukatAziz Sunday during his surprise visit to various general stores in the local markets in Rawalpindi and a Utility Store assured the people that the government had taken adequate measures to provide essential commodities on reduced rates especially during the holy month of Ramazan.
The visit was a part of the campaign by Prime Minister Aziz to check the prices of essential commodities to keep them at minimum possible level and to ensure continuous supply for the benefit of general public.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz along with Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani, Minister of State for Information nd Broadcasting Senator Tariq Azeem Khan, Secretary General Pakistan Muslim League Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Senior Vice President PML Kabir Wasti, President PML Federal Capital Dr. Amjad, Rahat Qudsi, representatives of Local Government and other leaders visited a Utility Store near Chandni Chowk and different general stores in Commercial Market Satellite Town, Rawalpindi.
During the visit to the Utility Store, the Prime Minister was informed by the officials of the Store that reduction in prices of essential commodities has increased the sale of the Store. The Managing Director of Utility Stores Corporation Brig. (Retd) Muhammad Hafeez informed the Prime Minister that the sale of the Utility Store in Rawalpindi has been increased three to four times soon after the start of "Ramazan Package" announced by the government.
The Prime Minister mixed up with the customers present in the store and asked them about availability of essential items and their prices.
The people told the Prime Minister that they are getting all essential items on reduced rates and added that the "Ramazan Package" provided them relief in the prices.
The customers, including women, old and young people, also appreciated the quality of these items and informed the Prime Minister that they are not facing any trouble or problem in getting any item from the Utility Store on reduced rates including sugar, atta, pulses and other important items.
Various customers, who were overwhelmed to see Prime Minister among themselves, said prices are less as compared to the open market at the Utility Stores, therefore, they preferred to buy from these stores.
Some journalists who were with the families and busy in shopping at these stores also met with Prime Minister and appreciated the Prime Minister for his efforts to check the prices through these surprise visits.
Shaukat Aziz especially asked about the quality of these commodities from women customers, present in the store who told him that the quality is very good. The Prime Minister was also informed that despite the increase in the purchase of essential items due to Ramazan, there is no shortage of any item at the Utility Store as there is sufficient stock of every product. The Prime Minsiter said the government had more than 500,000 tonnes of sugar in stock, therefore, there would be no shortage in the market.
Later, the Prime Minister stopped at a general stores in the Commercial Market of Satellite Town, Rawalpindi, where a large number of people were busy in shopping especially before the Iftari.
A large number of people gathered near the Store and praised the Prime Minister for his efforts and surprise visits to the markets to check the prices of essential items.
The Prime Minister told the customers and shopkeepers that he spent a part of his life in Satellite Town, when he was student at the local college and it was reviving these great memories to visit the area again as Prime Minister.