Traders announce halting sugar sales over govt failure
In response, the association has announced a province-wide halt in sugar sales at all grocery stores and has appealed to the public across the country to boycott sugar and instead use alternatives such as jaggery (gur) and unrefined sugar (shakkar).
The association described the control of sugar prices as "extremely difficult," noting that in the open market, sugar prices have surged to Rs190 per kg in urban areas and up to Rs200 per kg in suburban and rural regions.
According to Sheikh Rizwan Shaukat, the central general secretary of the Karyana Merchant Association, and Saleem Pervaiz Butt, the president of the Rawalpindi Division, both the federal and Punjab governments have proven utterly powerless and ineffective in curbing sugar prices.
Wholesale sugar prices are increasing daily by Rs100 to Rs300 per bag. They alleged that a powerful sugar mafia is exploiting the nation while small grocery shop owners are being unfairly targeted through fines and legal action.
They further criticised the inconsistent sugar policies — allowing export at one time and import at another — as mechanisms for profiteering. Despite repeated meetings with senior officials and ministers over the past two months to alert them to the exploitation occurring in the name of sugar, the authorities have failed to take any effective action.
Now, the association says, they are left with no other option but to halt sugar sales altogether to avoid heavy fines, penalties, and arrests.
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