Daily Times

A petition has been filed in Lahore High Court (LHC) against the increase in the sugar prices across the country.

The petitioner filed a petition in Lahore in which he stated that the mafia has surged the sugar price by creating an artificial shortage, because of that the production of it, it’s far beyond the country’s demand and need.

In his plea, the petitioner requested the LHC to initiate a crackdown against the hoarders and seek a complete record of sugar stocks.

Pakistan is now experiencing a severe shortage of sugar as the country falters amid a wheat crisis that left prices skyrocketing to more than Rs12-15 apiece.

During the incumbent government’s 15 months, sugar prices have shot up to as high as Rs64 a kilo. However, over the past week, the wholesale rate rose from Rs64 to Rs74 per kg and an acute shortage surfaced in the country. Last year, Pakistan produced 600,000 tonnes of sugar. Now, however, the wholesale rate of sugar is expected to reach Rs80 a kilo next week.

Further, if the government does with sugar what it did with wheat-flour and does not halt exporting it, prices could reach up to Rs100 per kg in Pakistan.

It is noteworthy that Pakistan’s flour crisis has become acute, affecting major cities such as Karachi, Hyderabad, and Lahore with prices shooting up to Rs70 a kilo in some areas.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan took notice of the wheat price hike, ordering a grand operation against hoarders to overcome the crisis.