PM Khan announces strategy to deal with sugar mills amid rising commodity price

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday instructed the law minister to address the problem of stay orders obtained by sugar mill owners against the government since they were contributing to the spiraling commodity price in the market, reported the state-owned APP news agency.
Local media reported a significant spike in the retail price of sugar recently, saying it was sold for Rs160 per kilogram in certain parts of the country.
Earlier this week, the prime minister acknowledged in his address to the nation the prices of essential items had significantly increased in Pakistan before announcing a six-month relief package for the economically vulnerable segments of society.
He also maintained the inflationary pressure in the country’s economy was largely due to the rise of global commodity prices.
“Imran Khan said the sugar mills had attained stay orders against the fine imposed by the Competition Commission of Pakistan,” the APP reported. “Also, the other stay order was against Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in line with its action on tax evasion and the ‘off-the-books’ activity of sugar mills. He asked the law minister to pursue the cases on an urgent basis for the benefit of the general public and for addressing the price hike of sugar.”
Addressing a gathering in Attock, he said three sugar mills in Sindh were shut down which had reduced the supply of the commodity across the country.
The prime minister also told a meeting of his party leaders that his administration was bearing the burden of Rs450 billion to address spiraling inflation and provide relief to the ordinary citizens.
The government has been criticized by its allies and opposition parties for not doing enough to stabilize the national economy, especially after the recent hike in the rates of petroleum products in the country.