Economic Minister Blames Previous Government's Money Printing for Rising Commodity Prices

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has attributed the recent surge in commodity prices to the previous administration's decision to print money during the COVID-19 economic slowdown. Speaking on the second episode of the government spokesperson's podcast 'With the Spokesperson,' Saeed dismissed claims of price hikes under the current government and pointed to headlines from 2019 to 2023, which repeatedly warned of rising prices. He emphasized that the previous government's Finance Minister Ameer, Economic Minister Fayyaz, and the President had all acknowledged the potential for price increases. Saeed argued that critics are ignoring their past statements, and the current administration is addressing economic challenges directly. The government has taken steps to stabilize prices, including importing fruits and vegetables through the State Trading Organization (STO). STO began selling 23 varieties of produce, including onions, carrots, and apples, on October 15, with prices adjusted based on market rates.