Latest news with #NationalFoodSecurity
Arab News
09-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan waives all duties, taxes on sugar imports to curb price hikes
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's National Food Security Ministry announced on Wednesday it has decided to waive all duties and taxes on sugar imports to ensure the product is available to the public at affordable prices. In Pakistan, high sugar prices have triggered public outcry and become flashpoints for opposition criticism in the past, with allegations of hoarding and cartelization frequently surfacing in election years or periods of economic volatility. The latest announcement from the ministry comes as sugar prices surge to nearly Rs200 [$0.70] per kilogram in several parts of the country, triggering public concern. National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain chaired a meeting of the steering committee on sugar on Wednesday, which decided to import the commodity through the Trade Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to ensure transparency and quality control. 'To facilitate this process, the government has exempted all duties and taxes on sugar imports so that sugar can be made available to the general public at affordable prices and inflationary pressures can be eased,' the ministry said in a statement. It said sugar will be imported initially in two phases. In the first phase, a tender for 200,000 metric tons of sugar will be issued, followed by another tender for 150,000 metric tons after one week. The ministry said these import quantities have been determined in line with immediate market requirements and anticipated demand in the coming weeks. 'The imported sugar will be of premium quality, meeting standard market expectations— specifically, the coarse-grain variety commonly used by consumers,' the statement said. 'Additionally, post-shipment inspection will be strictly enforced to ensure that quality standards are upheld.' Hussain said the government would deploy a streamlined and 'active system' to guarantee timely distribution of imported sugar across the country, leaving no room for hoarding or profiteering. 'He expressed hope that this strategic intervention will help stabilize sugar prices in the local market and significantly ease the financial burden on consumers,' the ministry said.
Business Recorder
28-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Key aspects of sugar sector reviewed
ISLAMABAD: The high-level committee reviewed key aspects of the sugar sector, including domestic production, import needs, supply chain efficiency, and market availability. It also decided in-principle approval for the import of 0.5 million tonnes of sugar. Deputy Prime Minister (DPM)/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a follow-up meeting to review the pricing and supply of essential food items, particularly sugar. The meeting was attended by the Minister for National Food Security, SAPM Tariq Bajwa, secretaries of food security and industries, and other senior government officials. The DPM reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting the interests of both consumers and suppliers, and to ensuring that essential commodities remain affordable and accessible. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Dar reviews pricing, supply of sugar
FM Ishaq Dar in meeting to review ongoing evacuation of Pakistani nationals/zaireen presently stranded in Iran & Iraq on June 18. Photo: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Friday chaired a follow-up meeting to review the pricing and supply of essential food items, particularly sugar. The meeting was attended by the Minister for National Food Security, SAPM Tariq Bajwa, Secretaries of Food Security & Industries, and other senior government officials. The committee reviewed key aspects of the sugar sector. It also decided the in-principle approval for the import of 0.5 million tonnes of sugar. Dar reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting the interests of both consumers and suppliers.
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PBF urges budget relief for agriculture
Listen to article The Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has urged the government to take concrete measures in the upcoming federal budget to reduce the cost of agricultural cultivation, calling for immediate tax relief on fertilisers to ease the financial burden on farmers. A PBF delegation, led by Chief Organiser Chaudhry Ahmad Jawad, held a detailed meeting with Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain to discuss the upcoming federal budget and advocate for targeted relief for the agricultural sector. The delegation emphasised that the federal government still holds the authority to reduce the cost of production for farmers. "Sustainable GDP growth is not possible without government support for agriculture," they stated. The delegation urged the government to eliminate the 18% GST on locally produced cotton and to reduce customs duties on imported machinery used in the cotton ginning sector. "The government must take concrete steps to reduce the cost of cultivation. Fertiliser prices should also be brought down by offering tax relief," they added. In response, Hussain expressed agreement with the forum's concerns and stated, "The ministry is actively working on eliminating the 18% GST on local cotton, including lint and cottonseed." He further noted that efforts are underway to resolve pending cotton cess liabilities from the textile sector to ensure the Central Cotton Committee does not face financial constraints. "We are also considering limiting tax-free imports of yarn and fabric under the Export Facilitation Scheme to support local cotton," said the minister. "This year, we are aiming to produce 10 million cotton bales locally, and we are making every effort to ensure that farmers receive relief in the upcoming budget." PBF also recommended that new research and seed varieties developed by the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) be implemented at the district level through local agriculture departments. "At present, we are unaware of the latest research being conducted in Islamabad. The ministry should work with provincial governments to bridge this gap." PBF welcomed the government's decision to allow the import of cotton seeds and proposed that legislation be introduced to ensure local banks provide loans to the SME sector.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Raj cuts 17L names from NFS schemes, 1.5L from Jaipur dist
1 2 Jaipur: The Rajasthan govt has removed names of 17.6 lakh ineligible beneficiaries of the National Food Security (NFS) schemes, of which around 1.5 lakh are from Jaipur district. On instructions from the food and civil supplies department, all district headquarters carried out a campaign to segregate eligible and ineligible beneficiaries of the NFS. District supply officer Trilokchand Meena said that the district authorities have decided to extend the 'Give Up' campaign – launched by the state govt – till April 30, 2025. "No action will be taken against individuals who voluntarily remove their names from the food security list by April 30. Else, we are going charge a penalty at the rate of Rs 27 per kilogram based on the amount of food grains received from the date of listing in the food security list to the date of removal, along with the calculated interest," said Meena. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Officials stated for Jaipur, so far, 491 individuals have been served notices. "An updated list of ineligible beneficiaries is ready with us. If they don't remove the name voluntarily by April 30, we are going issue notices and slap fines against them," said a district official. According to rules, ineligible criterion include those with at least one member employed as a regular govt or semi-govt employee, or receiving a pension exceeding Rs 1 lakh per annum, or with a total annual income exceeding Rs 1 lakh for all members. Families owning a private four-wheeler are also not eligible for this scheme. Meanwhile, during the same period, the govt has added over 20.8 lakhs new eligible individuals in Rajasthan of which around 1.43 lakhs are from the Jaipur district.
