Govt assures no sugar price hike during Ramadan

Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain has said sugar prices will not be allowed to increase during Ramadan, according to Radio Pakistan.

Chairing a meeting to review sugar prices in Islamabad on Friday, he said providing relief to consumers during Ramadan is responsibility of the government.

Hussain said sugar millers have been given a one-week time for consultation on sugar prices and final rates of the commodity will be announced on Thursday.

The minister said farmers should be included in the profit and sugar millers should play their role in addressing production and financial issues of agriculturists.

Earlier this week, the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) raised the price of sugar by Rs5 per kilogram. According to sources, the price of sugar at Utility Stores has been increased from Rs140 to Rs145 per kilogram.

The decision to increase the price was made due to rising prices in the open market. However, despite this increase, sugar at Utility Stores remains cheaper than in the open market.