Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has directed federal and provincial authorities to continue close monitoring of the availability and prices of essential commodities to prevent any artificial price.

According to Radio Pakistan, he was chairing a meeting in Islamabad today to review the availability and prices of essential commodities across the country. Ishaq Dar expressed satisfaction over ample stock of key essential commodities across provinces.

He further stressed strict surveillance, particularly in view of the approaching month of Ramazan, to prevent any artificial price hikes or the exploitation of consumers by unscrupulous elements.