Sugar prices have surged to all-time highs across different regions of the country. Meanwhile, former members of the ruling coalition, PDM, are still engaged in a blame game, each pointing fingers at the other regarding the responsibility for the dwindling sugar stocks in the nation.
Sugar prices in Pakistan have seen significant fluctuations, with allegations and blame being placed on various parties. Growers accuse the dissolved PDM government of failing to stop sugar smuggling, which they claim led to nearly a million metric tonnes of sugar crossing the border over the past year. Prices vary across regions, with sugar being sold for different rates in Balochistan, Punjab, and Karachi.
The caretaker government has expressed concern over depleting sugar stocks, citing rising sugarcane prices and court orders as factors contributing to the price increase. This issue has also become a point of contention between former coalition partners, PML-N and PPP, with accusations of facilitating sugar smuggling.
Senator Taj Haider of the PPP claimed that Rana Sanaullah allowed a significant amount of sugar to be smuggled and criticized former planning minister Ahsan Iqbal for shifting blame. Iqbal, in turn, questioned Naveed Qamar’s role in sugar exports during his tenure.
Mr Naveed Qamar allowed official export of 250, 000 tons sugar to help Mr Dar with some Foreign exchange.
Honourable Rana Sanaullah allowed 1.4 million tons sugar to be smuggled. Dollars were earned by smugglers. But Mr. Ahsan Iqbal holds Mr. Naveed Qamar responsible.— Taj Haider (@Sen_TajHaider) September 4, 2023
Growers, however, hold everyone in the past government responsible for the crisis and claim that sugar smuggling started under their watch in August 2022. They assert that large quantities of sugar have been smuggled into Afghanistan and stored in border towns, leading to the current shortage and price surge.
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