Pervaiz Khattak, several ministers including Fawad Chaudhry oppose PM's utility store package

The federal cabinet has approved a reduction in food prices, but several ministers, including Defense Minister Pervez Khattak, Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur, opposed the utility stores package.

A cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan was held in which the economic situation of the country was considered and several important decisions were taken.

At the meeting, the cabinet approved the reduction in prices of food items after which the flour, wheat, pulses, sugar and rice will be available at utility stores at a rate of 10-25% lower.

The federal cabinet also approved the issuance of Rs 10 billion to utility stores in five months, while in Ramadan the utility stores will get Rs 5 billion separately.

According to sources, several ministers, including Defense Minister Pervez Khattak, Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur, opposed the utility stores package.

Ministers opposed to the Utility Patch believed that instead of giving billions of rupees to utility stores, petrol and diesel prices would be reduced.

According to sources, basic food items will be provided cheaply at 4,000 utility stores across the country.

Sources said that the federal government will introduce a new package in July, which will have 3 types of rice, 3 types of pancake oil and 3 types of pulses.