Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar announced on Wednesday that the sale of sugar at prices ranging from Rs 178-180 per kg was unacceptable. He confirmed that the retail price of sugar would remain fixed at Rs 164 per kg, while the ex-mills price would be capped at under Rs 159 per kg.
In a live broadcast on national TV channels, Dar made these key announcements after chairing a meeting to review sugar prices. He also revealed that a sub-committee would be formed to provide recommendations within a month to address the ongoing issue.
Dar mentioned that the committee, established under the direction of the Prime Minister to investigate the sugar price issue, had already conducted several meetings following the price hike during the holy month of Ramazan.
He stressed that the sale of sugar at Rs 178-180 per kg was intolerable, both to the Prime Minister and the government.
The sub-committee, headed by Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, is expected to submit its recommendations before April 19.
The meeting was attended by several key figures, including Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, PM’s Adviser Haroon Akhtar, representatives of the sugar mills association, and relevant senior officials.
Dar reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the issue and ensuring that sugar is available at a reasonable price in the market to benefit the common man. He further explained that if a two-tier system could be implemented through collective consultations, the public would be able to purchase sugar at the lowest possible price.
Additionally, Dar thanked the sugar mills association for providing sugar at a subsidized rate of Rs 130 per kg at all 274 Sasta bazaars.
He also assured that there was no sugar shortage in the country and ruled out the need for imports. The government would address any artificially created sugar shortage with strict measures.
