The bitter truth: Use less sugar

The PPP government has failed to control sugar prices - its time for us, the consumers to work to end this crisis.

Sugar has gone from the once dictatorial price of Rs27 per kg to a much awaited democracy induced price of up to Rs125 per kg. Rates in large cities of Lahore and Karachi are up to Rs105 per kg.

It is said that sugar mill owners and wholesalers have become millionaires many times over. Rumour has it that sugar prices will further increase to Rs150 per kg during the Eidul Adha festivities.

I remember the era of the 1970s in Karachi when sugar was not even available in the market. One needed ration cards to get sugar and some other staple food items. Interestingly, the same political party ruled the country at that time as well.

I don’t want to get into why the Peoples Party of Pakistan (PPP) is high on slogans and low on delivery. However, I do wonder why people have to use sugar?

If people in Pakistan are really serious about price control, perhaps they will have to learn self-discipline.

This is how: Cut down on the use of tea and start drinking warm water like the Chinese!

If you want to flavour your hot water, boil it with cinnamon, cardamom, clove or a range of other flavoured herbs.

What is this going to do?

Firstly, such drinks will be healthier than the overly-sweet and milky tea that most people drink in Pakistan. Secondly, the prices of sugar, milk and tea would go down drastically.

The next thing to do is to cut down on sweets as a whole. That would bring down the prices for sweets too. The saved money can then be used for healthier food items.

This democracy-loving nation needs to create awareness about sugar alternatives - if they want life to stay sweet!