ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday ordered strict action against hoarders creating an “artificial shortage” of sugar during the holy month of Ramadan, directing officials to coordinate with sugar mills to monitor its supply and consumption across the country.
Food prices in Pakistan often surge during Ramadan due to increased demand and supply chain inefficiencies. However, a major factor is hoarding and speculative pricing by traders who artificially inflate market rates to maximize profits.
Last month, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb warned the government would not spare hoarders, whose actions contribute to annual spikes in the cost of essential commodities during the holy month.
“We will not allow anyone to hoard sugar or manipulate prices through speculative trading,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement quoting Sharif.
He directed authorities to crack down on profiteers and hoarders creating “artificial shortages” and present a report on the action taken.
“Strict monitoring of sugar supply and consumption must be ensured,” he added.
Sharif also instructed officials to establish coordination mechanisms with sugar mills to oversee the distribution of the commodity and prevent its artificial shortages.
He assured that the country had ample sugar reserves, dismissing concerns of a genuine shortfall.
“Those creating a false crisis must be brought within the ambit of the law,” he said. “During the holy month of Ramadan, we will not allow ordinary citizens to be exploited by the market mafia.”
Sharif directed the chief secretaries of all four provinces to ensure sugar was made available to the public at government-set prices during a high-level meeting in the federal capital.
The meeting, attended by federal ministers, senior government officials and provincial representatives via video link, reviewed sugar supply, consumption and pricing trends.
Officials also briefed the prime minister on the current stock levels and market conditions.
Pakistan PM orders crackdown on sugar hoarders creating ‘artificial shortage’ in Ramadan
https://arab.news/pghea
Pakistan PM orders crackdown on sugar hoarders creating ‘artificial shortage’ in Ramadan
- Shehbaz Sharif says the country has ample sugar reserves, dismisses genuine shortfall concerns
- He directs officials to work with sugar mills to monitor the commodity’s supply and consumption
Senior Daesh spokesperson in Pakistan’s custody— state media
- Sultan Aziz Azzam, a senior member of Daesh regional affiliate ISKP, has been listed as “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” by Washington
- Azzam, who oversaw banned outfit’s media operations, was arrested in May while attempting to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan, says state media
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have taken into custody Sultan Aziz Azzam, a senior member of Daesh who used to oversee the banned outfit’s media operations and headed its “Al Azzam” outlet, state media reported on Thursday.
The state-run Pakistan TV Digital reported that Azzam was a senior member of Daesh regional affiliate ISKP, who hails from Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province and is a graduate of the University of Nangarhar where he studied Islamic jurisprudence.
The state media said he joined ISKP in 2016 and later became a prominent member of its leadership council.
“He was arrested in May 2025 while attempting to cross from Afghanistan into Pakistan,” Pakistan TV Digital reported, citing intelligence sources.
In November 2021, Washington listed Azzam as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” (SDGT). The move bars American citizens from engaging in transactions with persons designated as SDGTs.
According to a report on the UN Security Council’s website, Azzam has played an “instrumental role” in spreading Daesh’s violent ideology, glorifying and justifying “terrorist acts.”
“Building on his former experience as an Afghan journalist, his activity as ISIL-K’s spokesperson has increased ISIL-K’s visibility and influence among its followers,” the report states.
The report further states Azzam claimed responsibility on behalf of Daesh for the suicide attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 26, 2021, which killed at least 170 Afghans and 13 US service members and injured 150 more.
The development takes place amid tense relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad alleging militants use Afghan soil to carry out attacks against Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations.
Tensions surged in October when Pakistan and Afghanistan engaged in fierce border clashes, claiming to have killed dozens of soldiers of the other side.
Pakistan has urged the Afghan Taliban-led government to take “decisive action” against militants it says operate from its soil. Afghanistan says it cannot be held responsible for Pakistan’s security challenges.
