Caretaker Minister of National Food Security and Research Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik on Thursday said that the government was determined to break the nexus of cartels, hoarders and profiteers to ensure the supply of essential food items to the masses at affordable prices.

Addressing research scientists and agricultural experts at the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), the minister stressed that the main reason behind the current spike in sugar price in local markets was the formation of an industrial cartel.

He said that the government had launched a campaign against such cartels and hoarders, adding that stern action would be taken against all those involved in any illegal trade and harming the country’s interests.

The minister pointed out that after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, agriculture was a provincial subject and provincial governments were also working on the advancement of the agriculture sector.

He underlined the need for developing strong coordination between federal and provincial governments and institutions to achieve sustainable agricultural development.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2023.

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