Despite the Prime Minister's directives, sugar is not being supplied at the fixed ex-mill price of Rs165 per kilogram. Following penalties imposed by the administration on wholesale traders, wholesalers in Karachi's Jodia Bazaar have stopped selling sugar.
According to Rauf Ibrahim, Chairman of the Wholesale Grocers Association, sugar supply in the wholesale market has been suspended for the past three days, resulting in the retail price surging to Rs200 per kilogram.
He said that instead of acting against sugar mills and hoarders, the Karachi administration is unfairly targeting traders. According to a survey by The Express Tribune, as in other parts of the country, sugar at government-fixed prices is unavailable in Karachi, forcing consumers to buy it at inflated rates.
Sugar was being delivered at an ex-mill rate of Rs171.50 per kg until three days ago. However, wholesalers stopped purchases following the imposition of heavy fines, leading to a suspension in supply at the official rate of Rs165 per kg.
With buying activity halted, a sugar shortage has developed in the wholesale market, pushing prices up across the board - at ex-mill, wholesale, and retail levels.
In response to the overpricing, the Karachi Commissioner has launched a crackdown across all districts. A total of 87 profiteers have been penalised, with fines totaling Rs1.077 million. Seven shops were sealed, and two individuals were arrested.
According to the survey, sugar prices in the wholesale market have climbed to Rs190 per kg, with retail prices reaching Rs200 per kg. Citizens are calling on the administration to take meaningful steps to ensure sugar is available at government-approved rates.
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