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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Retailers halt sugar sales over price dispute
The Kiryana Merchants Association announced on Tuesday a province-wide suspension of retail sugar sales in protest against recent government crackdowns, including raids, arrests, shop closures, and hefty fines imposed on shopkeepers. Starting Tuesday, retailers had ceased sugar sales until a fair and sustainable pricing mechanism is established. The announcement was made by Hafiz Arif Gujjar, Central President of the Association, and Saleem Parvez Butt, President of the Association's Rawalpindi Division. In the wake of the retail suspension, sugar is reportedly being sold on the black market at up to Rs220 per kilogram in urban centers and surrounding areas. Retailers, in an effort to avoid penalties, are now limiting sugar sales to known customers and local hotels, bypassing walk-in consumers. The Association leaders voiced strong objections to the government's pricing directives, highlighting the discrepancy between the official retail price of Rs165 per kg and the actual wholesale rate of Rs176-178 per kg set by sugar mills. They argued that it is economically unviable for small retailers to purchase sugar at such high prices and then sell it below cost. "We are being asked to sell sugar at Rs173 per kg while purchasing it at Rs176 or more. The government has arbitrarily set an Rs8 profit margin based on an unrealistic wholesale rate that mills don't follow," the Association stated. Despite informing the authorities about these pricing inconsistencies over the past two weeks, the Association said the government responded with punitive actions instead of addressing the supply issues. Shops were sealed, retailers fined, and arrests made — measures the Association deems unjust and unsustainable. Leaders further alleged that sugar mills, brokers, and dealers — many with political connections — continue to operate without restriction, supplying sugar above the official rates, while small shopkeepers are being disproportionately targeted by administrative enforcement. Reaffirming their commitment to dialogue and reform, the Association expressed a willingness to engage in negotiations and work toward a long-term pricing solution. While they are open to reducing their profit margins, they emphasised that selling at a loss is not a viable option. As part of the protest, the Association has directed all member retailers to immediately deplete their existing sugar inventories and halt new sales. Meanwhile, enforcement actions have escalated across the Rawalpindi Division, which comprises Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Murree, and Talagang. Authorities have issued challans to 127 shopkeepers for allegedly overpricing sugar, levying fines ranging from Rs20,000 to Rs25,000 per shop. Additionally, 59 retail outlets have been sealed, and several sugar stockpiles seized from warehouses. The Association has issued a final warning: if intimidation and penalties continue, they will escalate their protest into a complete strike of all grocery shops throughout Punjab.
Express Tribune
20-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Traders announce halting sugar sales over govt failure
The Karyana Merchant Association Punjab has strongly condemned the continued and devastating rise in sugar prices, attributing the crisis to the government's complete failure to intervene. In response, the association has announced a province-wide halt in sugar sales at all grocery stores and has appealed to the public across the country to boycott sugar and instead use alternatives such as jaggery (gur) and unrefined sugar (shakkar). The association described the control of sugar prices as "extremely difficult," noting that in the open market, sugar prices have surged to Rs190 per kg in urban areas and up to Rs200 per kg in suburban and rural regions. According to Sheikh Rizwan Shaukat, the central general secretary of the Karyana Merchant Association, and Saleem Pervaiz Butt, the president of the Rawalpindi Division, both the federal and Punjab governments have proven utterly powerless and ineffective in curbing sugar prices. Wholesale sugar prices are increasing daily by Rs100 to Rs300 per bag. They alleged that a powerful sugar mafia is exploiting the nation while small grocery shop owners are being unfairly targeted through fines and legal action. They further criticised the inconsistent sugar policies — allowing export at one time and import at another — as mechanisms for profiteering. Despite repeated meetings with senior officials and ministers over the past two months to alert them to the exploitation occurring in the name of sugar, the authorities have failed to take any effective action. Now, the association says, they are left with no other option but to halt sugar sales altogether to avoid heavy fines, penalties, and arrests.
Express Tribune
27-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Excise faces shortfall in tax collection
The Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department of Rawalpindi Division is facing a significant revenue shortfall, with property tax, luxury tax, and professional tax collections falling 65 per cent below target. Excise and Taxation Department Director General Umar Sher Chattha has reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction over the poor performance and reprimanded officers in Jhelum, Chakwal, and Rawalpindi. As a result, three officials have been transferred, and strict warnings have been issued to field staff and circle in-charges. According to sources, they have been given until April 30 to meet their recovery targets, failing which they will face reassignment. While the property tax division underperformed, the Motor Branch successfully met its revenue target of Rs2 billion. The DG praised the branch's performance and announced that all vehicle owners who paid for registration plates will soon receive them. Additionally, the production of number plates has been outsourced to the private sector, meaning vehicle owners must now arrange for plates themselves after registration. Following the DG's reprimand, authorities have sealed 590 properties in Rawalpindi Division for tax default.
