Meeting held to control prices of essential commodities
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—Acting Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad Amer Ali Ahmed called an urgent meeting here on Wednesday to control the prices of essential commodities with special reference to the prices of Tomato.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, the meeting was attended by the Presidents of Fruit and Vegetable Associations Sabzi Mandi Islamabad Safdar Siddique, Haji Farooq, Tahir Ayub, District Food Controller, City Magistrate Kamran Ali Cheema.
The meeting was informed that fresh crop of Tomato has starting coming into market form different areas of Balochistan and Sindh.
As the result of the fresh supply, the prices of tomato have started coming down in the open market.
It was noted that he prices of tomato had come down in Islamabad from Rs. 100/- per kg to Rs. 52/- per kg.
District Food Controller Islamabad, Muhammad Afzal told the meeting that tomato was sold at Rs. 52/- per kg on Wednesday (Oct 17, 2007) as against Rs. 100/- per kg on Tuesday October, 16.
The meeting was informed that the supply situation will be further improved in the coming few days, since tomato imported from India is also coming in the markets.
President Vegetable Association Sabzi Mandi, Safdar Siddique informed the meeting that the shortage of tomato was witnessed due to bad crops.
Moreover, supply was also disrupted due to Eid holidays. Now the supply situation is normalizing with each passing day and that will definitely further bring down the prices of commodities, he added.
City Magistrate Islamabad, Kamran Ali Cheema told the meeting that on the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan crack down against hoarders is continued and strict watch is being kept on the cold storages and other godowns or Mills.
The Acting Deputy Commissioner, Amer Ali Ahmed made it clear that no one would be allowed to create artificial price hike of any commodity.
He warned that strict action will be taken against hoarders.
He also directed Magistrates to continue anti profiteering drive and ensure that rate lists are displayed prominently by the shopkeepers.
Fruit and Vegetable Association Sabzi Mandi was directed to ensure the sufficient supply of fruits and vegetables in Sabzi Mandi in order to keep the prices of food items within the reach of the common man.