Latest news with #MinistryofNationalFoodSecurity
Business Recorder
18-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz expresses satisfaction over training of 300 agriculture graduates in China
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed heartfelt satisfaction over the successful completion of hands-on training by the first batch of around 300 Pakistani agriculture graduates in China in important areas of water saving irrigation, seed production, animal husbandry, agriculture production and prevention of post-harvest losses. In a post on his X handle, he expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership, the Shaanxi government, and the two universities, while also appreciating the efforts of Ministry of National Food Security, HEC, and the Embassy in Beijing. Shehbaz said this batch is part of the training programme for 1000 Pakistani agriculture graduates, which he had announced during his visit to China in June last year. During his visit to China in June 2024, PM Shehbaz was accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other senior ministers of the cabinet. Besides Beijing, he visited the cities of Xi'an and Shenzhen as well. The prime minister met President Xi Jinping and held delegation-level talks with Premier Li Qiang. He also held meetings with Chairman Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji and heads of key government departments. An important aspect of the prime minister's visit was meetings with corporate executives of leading Chinese companies dealing in oil and gas, energy, ICT, and emerging technologies. In Shenzhen, he addressed the China- Pakistan Business Forum with leading businesspersons, entrepreneurs, and investors from both countries. He also visited Economic and Agricultural Zones in China.
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Ex-mill sugar price fixed at Rs165/kg as govt, industry reach agreement
Listen to article The federal government and the sugar industry have reached an agreement to set the ex-mill price of sugar at Rs165 per kilogram, aimed at providing relief to consumers amid surging market rates, Express News reported. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of National Food Security on Monday, the agreement follows successful negotiations with sugar mill owners. The ministry affirmed that all provincial governments will now be responsible for ensuring the availability of sugar to the public at the newly fixed rate. Currently, sugar is being sold at prices as high as Rs200 per kilogram across various parts of the country. Authorities blame the steep prices on alleged collusion among influential actors in the sugar sector, often referred to as the 'sugar mafia,' which is accused of hoarding and manipulating supply to inflate prices. In response to the crisis, the federal government had previously announced a temporary removal of import taxes on sugar in an effort to bring down domestic prices. However, the impact of this measure has yet to be reflected in market rates. The Wholesale Grocers Association has criticised the import-based approach and instead urged the government to take strong action against hoarders. They have called for warehouse inspections and crackdowns on illegal stockpiling, arguing that such enforcement could significantly reduce sugar prices in the local market.
Express Tribune
20-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
The sugar swindle
Listen to article The sweetener has left sourness with the customers. The incongruous decision of the federal government to export sugar and then import it back is being pondered by the hapless nation with their jaws dropped. Either the authorities are too naïve to understand the mechanics of basic economics, or they are obsessed with vested interests. This is not the first time that a sugar scam is on the cards. Rather, it has become a modus operandi of successive governments to appease the sugar mafia — especially the mill owners and those who share the booty in the ruling clique — by playing with the support price of the sugarcane crop, then manipulating the raw and processed cost of sugar, and finally throwing it to the wolves at the altar of national interests. This time again, the government has decided to import 750,000 metric tonnes of sugar that it had itself sold in the international market under a mysterious calculus. The product was sold at a price tag of Rs114 billion, and no one is sure what amount of foreign exchange it will incur to bring it back home. Such lopsided decisions are a crime, per se, and must warrant retribution. Surprisingly, the swift manner in which the proposition and the entire decision-making process receive prompt passage from all stakeholders is enough to raise eyebrows, and warrants a national debate and inquiry. As far as the commoner is concerned, it leads to inflation, apart from torpedoing the domestic supply chain. This gimmick has led to a rise in sugar prices, and now the commodity is being sold at Rs190 per kilogram — a staggering Rs50 higher than the pre-export price. Yet the Ministry of National Food Security has the audacity to claim that there are sufficient stocks, and that imports were meant to lower prices! This annually enacted swindle, meant to hoodwink the nation, is a curse. While the country has a total annual consumption of 6.4 million tonnes, it must ensure that appropriate stocks are guaranteed before any ambitious decision to export is taken — with due public endorsement. A valve to involve the consumers is indispensable to put a stop to such scams happening right under the official eyes and ears.
Express Tribune
19-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt to import sugar after exports
Listen to article In a paradoxical move, the government on Thursday decided to import 750,000 metric tonnes of sugar after having already exported nearly the same quantity during the current fiscal year — a move that has driven domestic prices sharply higher, benefitting sugar millers. The move has raised questions over the rationale behind the government's earlier approval of sugar exports, which critics warned would hurt domestic supply and inflate prices. The new plan includes submitting a policy for the import of 250,000 metric tonnes of raw sugar to the cabinet for approval, while 500,000 metric tonnes of refined sugar have already received in-principle approval, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced via X (formerly Twitter) after chairing his second meeting on the issue in three days. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country exported 765,734 metric tonnes of sugar between July and May this fiscal year, earning Rs114 billion. This marks a 2,200% increase in sugar exports compared to the same period last year. Exporting first and then deciding to import has sparked concerns over the government's contradictory policies and the disadvantageous position imposed on consumers. After exports, domestic sugar prices hit a record Rs190 per kilogram — Rs50 higher than the pre-export price. A Ministry of National Food Security official claimed that there were sufficient stocks and imports are only being considered to lower prices. As of the latest PBS weekly bulletin, sugar was priced between Rs170 and Rs190 per kilogram across the country. In March, the government had fixed the retail price of sugar at Rs164 per kilogram — 13% higher than the cap set during the export approval period — allowing millers to enjoy windfall gains in both local and export markets. Dar's committee had negotiated the ex-factory and retail prices of sugar with the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), which has previously been accused of cartel-like behaviour by the nation's antitrust watchdog — the Competition Commission of Pakistan. Despite the agreed rates, the government failed to ensure stable retail prices. Dar added on Thursday that the Ministry of National Food Security has been instructed to seek the Economic Coordination Committee's (ECC) formal approval for the sugar imports. Currently, the deputy prime minister is making key economic decisions that are later presented to formal forums for ratification. On Wednesday, Dar also announced a downward revision of the proposed sales tax on solar panel imports — from 18% to 10% — for the upcoming fiscal year, diverging from the initial budgetary proposal. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, meanwhile, is engaged in trade negotiations with the United States — normally the responsibility of the commerce ministry. The sugar import decision followed a high-level meeting attended by the Minister for National Food Security, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Tariq Bajwa, officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Ministry of Industries and Production, PSMA, and provincial representatives. Dar reiterated the government's commitment to balancing the interests of both consumers and producers, stressing the importance of making essential commodities affordable and widely available. According to PSMA's presentation at the meeting, average monthly sugar consumption last year was 533,000 metric tonnes, with a total annual consumption of 6.4 million tonnes. In the first half of this fiscal year, monthly consumption showed a negligible increase of 0.003% to 535,016 metric tonnes, totalling 3.5 million tonnes so far. PSMA claims current sugar stocks stand at 2.8 million tonnes — enough to meet demand until November 21 even at the compressed consumption level of 535,000 metric tonnes per month. However, the government's decision to import 750,000 tonnes suggests that either the shortage is more acute than reported or consumption is higher than projected. Experts had earlier opposed the government's decision to export sugar, fearing that it would jeopardise supply and raise prices for the entire population to benefit a small group of industrialists. The government's control over sugar trade also contradicts its recently adopted free-market agricultural policies. "Export and import decisions should be left to farmers and market forces, not to selective millers with political influence," said Usama Mela, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA, during a National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance meeting this week. The PSMA, whose members are direct beneficiaries of the export, also recommended curbing sugar smuggling to neighbouring countries and proposed a tolling policy for importing raw sugar to manage stock shortages. PSMA also suggested starting the crushing season from November 1 — a proposal that is largely seen as symbolic and may be an attempt to deflect the criticism over the export of sugar. The PSMA stated in the meeting that without duties and taxes the cost of imported sugar was Rs153 per kilogram, which is still Rs37 per kilogram cheaper than the local price bonanza. The millers claimed that the country produced 5.9 million metric tonnes of sugar this year, which was 14% or nearly 1 million tonnes less than the previous crushing season.
Express Tribune
05-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Utility Stores to have no role in Ramazan package
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the government would unveil the Ramazan Relief Package this year sans the Utility Stores' role to prevent corruption and distribution of low-quality commodities to the people. "As the Holy Ramazan is about to start, I have asked the Ministry of National Food Security to bring about a Ramzan Package without the Utility Stores [Corporation (USC)] to prevent corruption and the sale of low-quality material. I had asked many months ago that this cannot go on with the Utility Stores," the prime minister said in his televised opening remarks at the meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by him. He told the cabinet members that last year, the government had received many complaints about the execution of the Ramazan Package by the Utility Stores. Therefore, the government has devised a solution to provide the facility minus the Utility Stores. The prime minister directed immediate measures to operationalise Gwadar Port on a commercial basis and instructed the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal to work with all stakeholders to transform it into a modern and fully functional port. Iqbal gave a detailed briefing on Gwadar Port in the cabinet meeting. The prime minister also directed organising an international conference to create awareness about the significance of Gwadar Port. "A comprehensive marketing and awareness strategy should be devised and diplomatic efforts regarding Gwadar Port should be expedited." He also sought details of imports and exports carried out through Gwadar Port. The meeting was informed that Gwadar Port had the capacity to provide cost-effective and time-efficient access to the Persian Gulf for vessels of up to 50,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) and to facilitate trans-shipment to Gulf countries. Furthermore, the port was expected to play a vital role in the development of the mining and aqua-culture sectors in Balochistan province. Western parts of China and the Central Asian States would also benefit from this port. The meeting was further informed that Gwadar Free Zone had been exempted from all federal, provincial, and local taxes and the rules for the Free Zone had been finalized. It was revealed that between 2018 and 2022, criminal negligence was shown regarding dredging at Gwadar Port which severely affected its depth. However, dredging was completed in 2022-23, after which its depth had been restored. All necessary utility services had now been provided at Gwadar Port, it was added. The meeting was also briefed about several public welfare projects in Gwadar including the Pak-China Friendship Hospital, Gwadar Institute of Technical Education, Pak-China Primary School, Gwadar Livelihood Project, Gwadar Fisheries Processing and Export Zone, and Gwadar Solar Park. The prime minister was apprised that government was also working to link Gwadar with Pakistan Railways' Main Line cuisine recipes The Gwadar-Quetta Highway was completed in 2018, benefiting areas such as Turbat, Hoshab, and Panjgur. Additionally, the remaining sections of the M-8 Motorway (Gwadar-Hoshab-Rato Dero) were under construction to connect Gwadar with Sukkur. To further enhance Gwadar-Quetta connectivity, the Nokundi-Mashkhel road was being constructed, while work on the Mashkhel-Panjgur road would commence soon, it was told. The work on Gwadar East Bay Expressway was carried out at rapid speed while work on Gwadar Safe City was being completed in collaboration with the Balochistan government. The minister proposed modernizing cargo inspection facilities at Gwadar Port and utilizing artificial intelligence for this purpose. The prime minister appreciated the briefing. About the launch of the polio vaccination drive, he mentioned the killing of a policeman Abdul Khaliq in Jamrud who was deployed on the security of the polio team and paid tribute to his sacrifice to make Pakistan a polio-free nation. He also lauded the services of PM's Coordinator on Health Dr Mukhtar, Polio Coordinator Dr Ayesha Farooq, secretary health and polio vaccinators for their tireless efforts to rid the country of this crippling disease. Apprising the cabinet members of his Quetta visit on Monday, the prime minister said he visited the hospital to inquire after the security personnel who were injured in an anti-terror operation in Kalat in which 18 security personnel were martyred and 23 terrorists were eliminated. "I met the injured. They were in high morale and were even ready to sacrifice their lives for the country. These are the martyrs and Ghazis who are resolved to rid the country of terrorism and striving day and night for the cause," he remarked. The prime minister said that the soldiers of the army, police, FC and Rangers sacrificing their lives were actually bearing the brunt of the blunderous policies of a government in the past when thousands of terrorists were set free. The cabinet members also offered Fateha for the martyred security personnel as well as the policeman on the polio duty. The prime minister expressed pleasure over the inflation coming down to a nine-year low at 2.4% from 28.73% on a month-to-month basis. He congratulated the entire nation, the cabinet members particularly the finance minister, his team, FBR and others for their efforts during the last 11 months to bring the inflation down to the lowest level. "Now, we are fully striving to head toward economic growth This is the main challenge. All of our energies will be focused on economic growth. Just like other targets, we will achieve this too," he resolved. He told the cabinet members that on Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a delegation to Pakistan and both sides signed an agreement under which the Kingdom would provide oil worth annual $1.2 billion on deferred payment. Besides, the Saudi Development Fund will also provide a loan for a $40 million water supply scheme project in Mansehra. He said that the entire nation would observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on Wednesday to express solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren. Prime Minister Shehbaz also lauded the approval of agricultural income tax by all four provinces as per the IMF condition and thanked the chief ministers, President Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Mian Nawaz Sharif for their support in this regard.
