Effective crackdown against Sugar mafia
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan: Central Joint Secretary, Pakistan Muslim League-N, Zaeem Qadri has said that PML-N government has saved the masses from exploitation by Sugar Mafia and as a result of timely and effective crackdown against hoarders a large quantity of sugar hidden in godowns has been recovered and the price of sugar has started falling in the open market. He said that there are sufficient sugar stocks and sugar will be available in Ramazan Bazars at the rate of Rs.40 per kg.
He was addressing a press conference, here today. Zaeem Qadri said that supply of sugar to the masses at reasonable rate is a priority of the government and recovery of more than 20 thousand tons of sugar hoarded in godowns has improved the image and the confidence of the people in the government. He said that Federal Minister for Production, Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo should refrain from shifting the blame for his own failures and negligence to Punjab government and look into the affairs of Trading Corporation of Pakistan with the connivance of which Sugar Mafia was trying to make a lot of money through profiteering. However, he said, the effective and timely measures taken by the Punjab government have foiled this conspiracy. He made an appeal to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani to beware of the elements as are trying to vitiate the atmosphere of harmony between federal and Punjab government. Referring to lack of knowledge of Federal Minister of Production, Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Zaeem Qadri said that Sharif brothers have nothing to do with Kashmir Sugar Mills & Brothers Sugar Mills for the last 10 years.
Zaeem Qadri further said that all brands of ghee as well as other food items would be available to the consumers in Ramazan bazaars five rupees less per kilogram and arrangements have been made for this purpose. He made it clear that the crackdown is against hoarders and profiteers and not against sugar mill owners.
Floods in Mardan and Swabi
MARADA/Swabi Pakistan: Almost 20 people confirmed dead as floods wreak havoc in Mardan and Swabi areas while powerful stream of floods took away 5 persons in different areas of Azad Kashmir.
Nine persons went missing in Garyala, 2 in Kaganau camp and 2 in Balagarhi area of Mardan while in Ismailia area Swabi 2 persons are missing.
The deaths mainly occurred due to collapsing of roofs as a number of villages were inundated and fields damaged when floods hit the above areas.
A wide area came under water as floods made their way in Mardan and Swabi where 400 houses have collapsed so far.
Thousands of people are trapped in the flood-hit areas and efforts are underway by the locals and welfare organizations to shift them to safer places.
Ismailia, Kalu Khan, Khat Kalay, Sheraghand and Nazar Kalay areas of Swabi are worst hit. Fields of corn, rice, sugar cane and tobacco have also been damaged in Swabi and Mardan.
The heavy floods have also swept away Kalu Khan bridge in Swabi while the communication network has been severely damaged.
