Sugar crisis deepens across twin cities
The ongoing dispute over sugar supply, wholesale pricing, and retailer profits involving sugar mills, brokers, dealers, and district administration has triggered a severe sugar crisis in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
With wholesale supply disrupted, most retailers in the district have run out of stock. Sugar is now being sold at inflated prices of up to Rs220 per kilogram.
In response to heavy fines and shop closures by the district administration, many retailers have removed sugar from shelves, with some selling it secretly at higher prices only to known customers.
Initial negotiations between the sugar merchant association, the cane commissioner, and FBR have shown some progress.
A breakthrough is expected in an upcoming meeting chaired by the federal minister.
However, the crisis remains unresolved. Association leaders Rizwan Shaukat and Saleem Pervaiz Butt claim the government set the ex-mill price at Rs165 and allowed an Rs8 profit marginpermitting retail sale at Rs173.
But mills are allegedly charging Rs176 per kg, making it unviable for retailers to comply.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqas Cheema said pricing is not a district matter and must follow federal directives. Authorities are strictly enforcing the Rs173 rate, with penalties for violations.
In the last 24 hours, 127 violations were reported. Fines totaling Rs145,000 were imposed, five retailers were arrested, and nine shops sealed.
District-wise breakdown includes Rawalpindi (2 violations, Rs30,000 fines), Attock (11 violations, Rs8,500), Jhelum (16 violations, Rs30,000), Chakwal (8 violations, Rs22,000), and Murree (90 violations, Rs55,000, 3 arrests).
Commissioner Amir Khattak has instructed retailers to ensure sugar availability at government-set prices, display rate lists prominently, and avoid hoarding or artificial shortages.
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