By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said the government was taking short-term as well as long-term measures to arrest the price-hike, particularly of the essential commodities.
“There was a global trend of increase in the prices of food items, but we are taking all possible measures to check this trend by introducing and implementing the short and long-term measures and policies”, he told the newsmen after visiting the Metro – Cash and Carry departmental store here.
The Prime Minister was appreciative of the Metro’s Cash and Carry concept and said the opening of more such stores will help provide quality consumer goods and essential daily use items of international standard on reasonable prices to people.
He said the opening of Metro stores in Pakistan will also help attract investment in the country and create more job opportunities and check unemployment.
The Prime Minister, who was received by James Scott, Regional Operation Officer Metro Group upon arrival at the Metro, visited various sections of the store and took keen interest in the goods placed there and also asked questions.
The Prime Minister was informed that Metro is investing over Rs 20 billion to open ten Cash and Carry stores in various cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad by the end of current year.
He was apprised that the Metro Cash and Carry, which offers all types of consumers items including food, beverages, meat and household and professional goods, provides its services to retailers and small businesses.
The Prime Minister was further informed that shopping from Metro Cash and Carry requires a membership card to enter the store, with children under 12 not allowed in the store.
Member National Assemly Farzana Raja also accompanied the prime minister.