Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned on Wednesday that anyone violating agreed sugar prices would be confronted with strict action, stressing that no one would be authorized to operate the public financially.
The Prime Minister chaired a high -level meeting focused on pricing and availability of sugar across the country.
The meeting underlined the government’s commitment to ensure fair prices and to protect citizens against economic exploitation.
During the session, the Prime Minister published strict directives for the application of the agreement concluded between Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and the government.
According to the agreement, the ex-moulin price of sugar is set at RS165 per kilogram, while the retail price must not exceed RS173 per kilogram.
Officials also informed the Prime Minister of Operations in progress against those involved in creating an artificial sugar shortage.
The government has reiterated its determination to continue to suppress holes and market manipulators.
The Prime Minister stressed that the administration would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt the offer or inflate the price of essential products, especially sugar.
The Pakistan sugar crisis has worsened while the markets of Lahore and Islamabad reported serious shortages, while prices in Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta increased to Rs190 per kilogram, defying the official price ceilings, The news reported on Monday.
In the midst of climbing the crisis, the Federal Minister of National Food Security and Rana Tanveer Hussain research this week presided over a high -level meeting with Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and provincial stakeholders, warning of the “strict monitoring” of factory shares.
On July 22, the minister had a severe warning after information emerged that several factories were not only overcharged, but also interrupted the sweetener’s market offer.
Despite this, the situation has not improved. In particular, on July 14, the PSMA and the Ministry of National Food Security signed the agreement to guarantee the old supply to Rs165 / kg from July 15 to August 15 (for the first month), then with an addition of RS2 / kg of each successive month until October 15.
In particular, the official rates, set at RS165 by Kg Ex-Moulin and RS173, were largely ignored at the national level. The wholesale prices vary between RS174 and RS178, while retail rates oscillate between RS180 and RS190.
The reports of Lahore and Islamabad show that sugar disappears from the shelves, forcing consumers to visit several stores looking for supplies, fueling concerns about hoarding and storage.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to the management of transparent actions, the stabilization of prices and the protection of the interests of consumers and producers.
