Sugar mafia tightens grip on Khushab

A kilogram of sugar is being sold for Rs30 more than the government-fixed rate

NOORPUR THAL:

The prices of sugar have surged in Khushab district, due to alleged price gouging by the local sugar mafia. Despite a government-fixed rate of Rs99 per kilogram, sugar is being sold at Rs125 per kilogram.

A customer revealed that local shopkeepers are selling sugar between Rs125 and Rs130, but the tehsil administration has shown no interest in monitoring or enforcing the official rate.

Shopkeeper Muhammad Ilyas shed light on the matter by stating that wholesale dealers are selling sugar to retailers at Rs12,000 per 100 kilogram sack, which equates to Rs120 per kilogram, making it difficult to sell at Rs99 and turn a profit.

In response to inquiries about the official rates, District Industries Officer Muhammad Abdullah explained that the government had set the official rate at Rs99.

However, sugar mill owners obtained a stay order from the Lahore High Court, claiming that selling at the rate would result in significant losses.

Expressing frustration, a local resident highlighted that those who used to denounce sugar mills corruption during the previous regime and called out high prices are now in power themselves and face no scrutiny.

A social activist demanded that the Punjab government take immediate action to ensure the sale of sugar at the officially notified rate, as people are being exploited through arbitrary pricing practices.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2023.