ISLAMABAD (February 12 2004): Taking serious notice of flour shortage, the Cabinet on Wednesday asked the provincial governments and the Food and Agriculture Ministry to ensure smooth supply of the commodity, keeping a check on the prices.

The Cabinet meeting directed the provincial governments to deal with the black marketeers and profiteers sternly.

Shortage of flour has been reported from different parts of the country and its prices have also witnessed upward trend in the recent weeks.

Likewise, there were also some reports that the commodity's quality was also not good.

Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Wednesday called for finalisation of recommendations within a week to mitigate the sufferings of the sugarcane growers at the hands of the sugar mill-owners.

During the Cabinet meeting, the issue was discussed threadbare and the finance, commerce and food and agriculture ministries were asked to suggest measures in consultation with the provinces on this count.

The provincial governments were asked to protect the interest of the growers, eliminating the role of the middleman.

The meeting decided to declare 2004 as the "Year of Child Welfare and Rights". A committee comprising representatives of education, health, labour and women development ministries would chalk out plans to ensure positive projection of the measures proposed for children's welfare.

The Cabinet while assuring the Women Development Ministry its full support said that the financial constraints would not hamper the welfare programmes for children.

Speaking at a news conference after the meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed denied reports that the United States had taken over the control of missile test system from Pakistan.

"There can be no compromise on the national nuclear and missile programme," the minister said.

He expressed his ignorance when asked to comment on the reports that some more nuclear scientists would be given pardon for their alleged role in nuclear proliferation.

The minister requested the media to wrap up the nuclear issue in a dignified manner, keeping in view its sensitive nature.

To a question, Rashid said that the Cabinet was hopeful that the upcoming composite dialogue with India would further improve bilateral relations between the two nations.

He replied in the affirmative when asked whether the Cabinet also took up the issue of giving more visas to Indians, willing to come to Pakistan.

However, he said the meeting expected that India would reciprocate to the concessions and facilities that would be extended to her citizens.

The minister said that over 2,000 scholars would participate in the Ulema and Mashaikh Convention to be held on February 18 in Islamabad.

When asked about his recent talks with self-exiled PPP leader Benazir Bhutto in the United States, he smilingly said, "It was a mere hello hi with the PPP leader."

He lightly responded to a question about bird flu incidents by saying that the Cabinet was served with chicken and fish during the meeting.

Courtesy Business Recorder