PM Imran gave directive to the concerned authorities on Monday to bring the entire sugar stock for sale in the market, while adding that strict actions against hoarders.
The PM presided a meeting regarding price control in Islamabad today, where it was decided that sugarcane crushing, in accordance with strict enforcement of crushing laws would commence from November 15 across the country
It has been discussed in the forum that sugar prices were increased due to the closure of sugar mills in Sindh, though an adequate quantity of the commodity was available in the market.
“Commodity prices are rising in the international market,” the PM said while addressing the meeting. “As Pakistan is dependent on imported goods, it is having an impact on the local market. However, the government is taking all possible steps to reduce the burden on the poor.”
“The Sugar Factories (Control) Amendment Act 2021, Punjab Prevention of Hoarding Act 2020 and Punjab Registration of Godowns Act 2014 against sugar mafia and hoarders should be implemented,” the premier stated that profiteering and hoarding will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The PM said that people should be apprised of “real facts”, and an effective awareness campaign in this regard should be launched.
The premier further stated that different schemes under the Ehsaas programme, such as the Ehsaas Rashan, Kamyab Pakistan, Kisan Card and Sehat Card, had been launched to provide relief to the lower-income strata of the country.
“The government should be focused on serving the people beyond politics,” he said, adding that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was aware of the inflation’s effect on the people.
The meeting had federal ministers Hammad Azhar, Fawad Chaudhry, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Syed Fakhar Imam, Dr Farogh Naseem, Finance Advisor Shaukat Tarin, Interior and Accountability Advisor Shahzad Akbar, SAPM Dr Shahbaz Gill, and chairman FBR in attendance.
It had been reported earlier that Inadequate supply of the essential commodity in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi remains a problem with almost all neighbourhood stores (kiryana) running out of sugar. Also, not only consistently long queues were witnessed at utility stores since the past few days, owing to the incessant shortage of sugar, but the price of the commodity was also soaring.
