Unstoppable sugar prices

Sugar prices are going through the roof, having hit the Rs150 per kg mark as against the official rate of Rs90 per kg. Meanwhile, top government functionaries continue to deflect, blaming international market conditions rather than offering viable solutions to the people. Most recently, PM Imran Khan ordered the release of all sugar stocks into the market to help reduce prices, which have also been affected by domestic output problems caused by sugar mill closures in Sindh.

Interestingly, while the mill closures were discussed during a price control meeting on Monday, the government continues to insist that there are no supply shortages and that profiteers are to blame. The PM continues to assure that action will be taken against hoarders, while his media adviser Shahbaz Gill is firing off literal conspiracy theories, blaming the Sindh government. He also appeared to claim that there was something wrong about ‘sugar mafia’ members going to court to challenge fines imposed by the Competition Commission of Pakistan. That was not the last of his theatrics, as he accused past governments of committing “economic treason” while insisting that the incumbents were doing a good job.

This claim is undercut by an auditor general report that clearly says that the Punjab cane commissioner failed to ensure mills were provided sugarcane at the official rate. It also notes that early harvesting and crushing had led to lower sugar yields per pound, adding that this also led to losses for growers and contributed to the higher prices. Whether or not the government and its supporters try to dispute these claims is irrelevant for people queuing up outside Utility Stores, only to learn that basic commodities are sold out or have gotten even more expensive. They only care about one thing — prices. It doesn’t matter whether the government, cartels, or external factors are to blame. To the average apolitical person, inflation was, is, and always will be the government’s responsibility. No matter how much the ruling party tries to deflect, the buck always stops at the PM’s desk.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2021.

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