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.
PM Khan announces strategy to deal with sugar mills amid rising commodity price
https://arab.news/pn2e8
PM Khan announces strategy to deal with sugar mills amid rising commodity price
- The prime minister wants to address the problem of stay orders taken by mill owners against the government to stabilize the retail price of sugar
- The government has already acknowledged the prices of essential items have significantly increased in the country
Pakistan to begin first phase of Hajj 2026 trainings from today
- Training programs to be held in phases across Pakistan till February, says religion ministry
- Saudi Arabia allocated Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has said that it will begin the first phase of mandatory Hajj 2026 training for pilgrims intending to perform the pilgrimage from today, Thursday.
The one-day Hajj training programs will be held in phases across the country at the tehsil level until February. The ministry directed intending pilgrims to bring their original identity cards and the computerized receipt of their Hajj application to attend the training sessions.
“Pilgrims should attend the one-day training program according to their scheduled date,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said in a statement.
The ministry said training schedules are being shared through the government’s Pak Hajj 2026 mobile application as well as via SMS. It added that details of the schedule are also available on its website.
According to the ministry, training programs will be held in Abbottabad on Jan. 2; Ghotki, Thatta and Kotli on Jan. 3; and Tando Muhammad Khan and Khairpur on Jan. 4.
Hajj training sessions will be held in Rawalakot, Badin and Naushahro Feroze on Jan. 5, while pilgrims in Fateh Jang, Dadu and Tharparkar will receive the training on Jan. 6.
The ministry said training programs will be conducted in Umerkot and Larkana on Jan. 7, followed by sessions in Mirpurkhas, Shahdadkot and Mansehra on Jan. 8.
Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has previously said these trainings will be conducted by experienced trainers and scholars using multimedia.
It said the training has been made mandatory to ensure that intending pilgrims are fully aware of Hajj rituals and administrative procedures.
Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026, of which around 118,000 seats have been reserved under the government scheme, while the remainder will be allocated to private tour operators.
Under Pakistan’s Hajj scheme, the estimated cost of the government package ranges from Rs1,150,000 to Rs1,250,000 ($4,049.93 to $4,236), subject to final agreements with service providers.
