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
Bangladesh flag carrier to launch Dhaka–Karachi flights this month after over 13 years
- Inaugural flight scheduled to depart from Dhaka to Karachi on Jan, 29, says Biman Bangladesh Airlines spokesperson
- Airline will operate two weekly flights from the Bangladeshi capital to Pakistan’s commercial hub on Thursdays and Saturdays
ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh’s flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines has announced it will launch direct passenger flights between the cities of Dhaka and Karachi after over 13 years later this month, the airline said on Thursday, as both nations improve historically bitter ties.
Biman will operate two weekly flights to Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city by population and its commercial hub, on Thursdays and Saturdays, the airline’s spokesperson Boshra Islam told Arab News.
“Biman is launching its Karachi operations on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026,” she said, adding that the inaugural flight is scheduled to depart from Dhaka at 8:00 p.m. local time and arrive in Karachi at 11:00 p.m. Pakistan time.
Pakistan has granted Biman initial permission to operate the route for three months until Mar. 26, according to a spokesperson for the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. The approval would be extended later, the official said.
The restoration of the airline’s flights to Pakistan marks a significant step in restoring direct air connectivity between the two South Asian nations.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were part of the same country until 1971, when the latter split from the former after a bloody civil war and became the independent state of Bangladesh.
Ties between both have improved significantly since 2024, after the fall of former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s government due to a student-led uprising. Hasina was widely viewed in Pakistan as being close to India and openly critical of Islamabad.
The resumption of passenger flights comes as aviation and trade links between the two countries begin to recover after decades of limited engagement.
In November last year, state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said it had signed a cargo agreement with Biman Bangladesh Airlines aimed at streamlining air freight operations and boosting bilateral trade.
A PIA spokesperson said the airlines had entered into a Cargo Interline Special Agreement as part of PIA’s strategy to expand its cargo business and offer more competitive services to customers.
Pakistan has stepped up efforts to rebuild relations with Bangladesh as ties between Dhaka and New Delhi remain strained over India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina after she fled the country.
In February last year, a cargo vessel sailed directly from Pakistan to Bangladesh for the first time in decades and successfully unloaded its containers, port officials said.
The two countries signed six agreements in August 2025 covering areas such as visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders, trade cooperation, media collaboration and cultural exchanges, officials said.
