Sources in the cabinet said that MQM ministers, led by Farooq Sattar, objected over the decision of the Economic Coordination Committee when it was presented before the cabinet for approval on Wednesday. The decision was taken by Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and ECC members on November 22. The sources said that the ECC had raised the wheat support price in the ECC meeting without receiving a summary from any ministry.
Sources said that Farooq Sattar, who was the first one to raise objection over the decision, said that the cabinet should not approve it in haste. He was of the view that neither the government's coalition partners nor other stakeholders had been taken into confidence in this regard.
Sources said the MQM minister was of the view that a debate should be held on the issue before approving the raise in wheat support price. However, the cabinet approved the decision despite objections raised by MQM ministers. However, sources said, the prime minister directed the finance minister to arrange a briefing for MQM ministers to remove their objections.