Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz has rejected as baseless the reports about the government plan to sell Roosevelt Hotel of the Pakistan International Airline in New York.

Pakistan has paid the liabilities of the hotel worth $128,000 and acquired it full ownership, Shibli told the media after the federal cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair on Tuesday.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman alleged a few months ago that Roosevelt Hotel, a profitable asset in the PPP rule, ‘is being sold at a nominal price by creating the issue of controversial credentials of PIA pilots.

However, the minister said the cabinet was informed that PIA successfully increased its revenue and the government’s timely action saved the national asset in New York.

The federal minister blamed the wheat crisis on Sindh, saying that the province being governed by the PPP did not supply the commodity that resulted in its price raise.

He said sufficient stock of wheat is present to meet requirements of the people whereas public and private sectors had been allowed to import the commodity and sufficient stock has arrived in the country and more is coming.

Price control mechanism 

About unprecedented price hikes, the minister said the government evolved a comprehensive mechanism to control prices and soon the issue will be resolved. The premier feels strong concerns for the people being pressed by the rampant price hike, Shibli said and rapped the opposition parties for criticising the Tiger Force.

The federal cabinet took up Motorway rape case, price control mechanism, gas supply measures in winter, e-governance and developing apps for the purpose. The cabinet was briefed that by year-end, such apps for all the ministries would be developed. The meeting laid stress on a comprehensive anti-encroachment op.