Lahore: The Punjab government has initiated an investigation related to the hike in sugar prices and smuggling of sweetener to Afghanistan.
The investigation would reveal the routes being used for smuggling sugar to the neighbouring country, said sources.
They further said that the Punjab Cane Commissioner, has asked the sugar mills to submit details about the sugar sold in the market and stern action would be taken if any owner or dealer is involved in sugar smuggling.
As many as 400,000 tons of sugar has been smuggled to Afghanistan, said sources.
The mill owners have benefitted to the tune of Rs 115 billion as the price of sugar has been increased by Rs 25 per kg, they said.
The price of sugar has been increasing at different rates in different cities in the country as the prices have jumped to Rs 6,000 per kg bag in a month in the wholesale market.
Sugar prices increased from Rs 130 to Rs 135 after an increase of Rs 40 per kg in Faisalabad.
In Hyderabad, it has increased by Rs 20 while it has increased to Rs 120 in the wholesale market and Rs 130 per kg in the retail markets in Karachi.
