Latest news with #Rs170
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sugar price control fails
Despite the Karachi commissioner setting the wholesale price of sugar at Rs170 per kilogramme and the retail price at Rs173, there has been no implementation of these official rates across the city. In wholesale markets, sugar is being sold at Rs175/kg, while at the retail level it is priced around Rs190/kg. In smaller neighborhood shops, the price has surged to as high as Rs200/kg, leaving consumers with no option but to purchase sugar at inflated rates. Although wholesale prices have recently dropped by Rs8/kg to Rs175, this reduction has not been passed on to end consumers. In most city markets, sugar is being sold for between Rs185 and Rs190/kg, with retailers refusing to lower their prices. Under an agreement between the federal government and the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, the ex-mill price of sugar was fixed at Rs165/kg effective from July 15. Following that, the Karachi commissioner issued official wholesale and retail prices. However, enforcement on the ground remains virtually non-existent. Consumers complain that price control committees have become ineffective, and government measures exist only on paper.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cyber fraud losses see 24% drop in Telangana, thanks to awareness
Hyderabad: In the first six months of 2025, victims in Telangana lost Rs 681 crore to cyber fraudsters, which is Rs 219 crore less than in the same period last year. The Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) attributed the 24% decline in cybercrime losses to increased public awareness. In fact, this decline significantly outpaces the national average reduction of 4%. While cyber fraud complaints across India rose by 37% from Jan to June 2025, Telangana saw a 13% reduction in complaints during the same period. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad During the first half of 2024, India reported over 7.7 lakh cyber fraud complaints , resulting in losses totalling of Rs 9,958 crore. During the same period in 2025, this figure rose to over 10.6 lakh complaints, with losses amounting to Rs 9,591 crore. In Telangana, cyber fraud complaints fell from 47,198 to 41,172, and losses dropped from Rs 900 crore to Rs 681 crore. Of this, Rs 107 crore was seized by the police from the bank accounts of fraudsters. 74% drop in reward points scam The most significant reduction was observed in reward points scams, with a 74% decrease from 1,735 cases in 2024 to just 459 this year. Furthermore, gift fraud cases fell by 60% (from 642 to 258), digital arrest cases dropped by 45% (from 1,631 to 905), KYC update cases reduced by 60% (from 1,398 to 566) and sextortion cases by 41% (from 954 to 560). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Emergency Generators in Bogota: (Prices May Surprise You) Emergency Generator | Search Ads Search Now Undo The only category to see an increase was loan fraud, rising by 16% from 5,999 cases in 2024 to 6,951 in 2025. Meanwhile, TGCSB director Shikha Goel attributed the reduction in cybercrime losses and complaints to comprehensive awareness campaigns, rapid response mechanisms for reporting, enhanced community and industry engagement, and data-driven enforcement. "Large-scale, statewide initiatives targeting major scams such as digital arrest fraud, investment fraud, and OTP-based crimes were conducted. Public outreach using caller tunes, posters, workshops in schools and colleges, and focused district training programmes helped build awareness and vigilance among citizens," she said. The director further added that introducing a 1930 helpline chatbot and a more efficient IVR system helped reduce complaint reporting time from six to seven minutes to less than three minutes. "This enables us to freeze fraudulent transactions rapidly, optimising action during the golden hour when recovery chances are highest," she said. Rs170 crore lost in stock market investment Of the Rs 681 crore lost, the largest share was due to stock market investment and part-time job fraud at Rs 170 crore. The next largest loss was at Rs 33 crore in the 'credit card compromise' category, where fraudsters posing as bank representatives contacted victims to update their card details and subsequently making financial transactions. In the digital arrests category, which involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officers and threatening victims with fictitious arrests for money laundering and drug trafficking, a loss of Rs 33 crore was recorded. Customer care fraud, where offenders posted internet ads posing as customer service employees and deceived people seeking help, resulted in losses totalling Rs 24.5 crore. Losses of a little over Rs 14 crore were incurred through fraudsters collecting money as processing fees with fake loan promises, while Rs 4 crore was lost to KYC fraud. 56% drop in senior citizens falling prey to digital arrest According to TGCSB data, govt employees were more susceptible to identity theft than investment fraud, whereas the unemployed were more susceptible to investment fraud. Farmers were targeted by loan fraud rather than investment fraud. Senior citizens remained largely immune to sextortion this year, with only eight cases compared to last year. There was a 56% reduction in senior citizens falling prey to digital arrest scams, which is attributed to increased awareness.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Essential kitchen items' prices stay stable
ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items have remained stable during this week against the previous week, revealed a survey carried out by Business Recorder here on Saturday. The survey observed a reduction in chicken prices as it went down from Rs16,400 to Rs15,200 per 40-kg in the wholesale market, which in retail is being sold at Rs410 against Rs440 per kg and chicken meat is available Rs700 per kg. Eggs' price remained stable at to Rs7,300 per carton of 30 dozen which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs260-275 per dozen. Sugar price is stable at Rs8,800 per 50kg bag in the wholesale market, while in retail it is being sold at 190 per kg which reflects an over charging of Rs20 per kg as the government has fixed retail sugar price at Rs170 per kg. Traders especially retailers told this correspondent that sugar millers/stockists are not supplying the commodity to the retailers as per their commitment with the government. The moment stockists start supplying the commodity at the government fixed rates, the retailers will bring down the prices. Wheat flour price remained unchanged as the best quality wheat flour ex-mill per 15kg bag is available at Rs1,100, which in retail is being sold at Rs1,150 per 15kg bag; and normal quality wheat flour per 15kg bag is available at Rs1,000, which in retail is being sold at Rs1,050 per bag. After a significant reduction of Rs1,400 per 15 kg bag in wheat flour price over the past 18 months, the tandoor owners in some parts of the federal capital have reduced the roti, naan and paratha prices as in some parts of the federal capital, roti is available at Rs16 against Rs20, naan at Rs20 against Rs25 and paratha at Rs45 against Rs50; however, Quetta hotels chain has not reduced paratha price and are selling at highest rate of Rs60 per paratha. The bakers instead of reducing the biscuits, bread and confectionery items prices, have increased the prices of bakery items despite over 56 per cent reduction in flour prices over 31 per cent reduction in ghee/cooking oil prices. During the past two years, top quality cooking oil/ghee prices such as Dalda reduced by 25 per cent from Rs3,600 per 5 kg to Rs2,700 and normal ghee prices reduced by 31 per cent from Rs8,800 per carton of 16 packs to Rs6,100. The prices of cooked food items remained stable as a cooked daal/vegetable plate at a normal hotel is available at Rs320, cooked beef plate at Rs550, cooked chicken plate at Rs500, cooked mutton at Rs750 and naan/roti is being sold at Rs25/30. Mutton and beef prices remained stable as normal quality mutton was available at Rs2,200 per kg, normal quality boneless beef at Rs1,400 per kg, and normal beef at Rs1,100 per kg. Various varieties of fishes are available in the range of Rs500 to Rs900 per kg. No changes were witnessed in tea prices, as Lipton Yellow Label is available at Rs2,200 per 900 grams pack and Islamabad Tea is available at Rs1,800 per kg; normal quality turmeric powder is available at Rs650 against Rs600 per kg and normal quality red chili powder at Rs800 per kg. Pulses prices remained stable as maash pulse is available at Rs390 per kg, gram pulse at Rs270 per kg, whole gram pulse at Rs250 per kg, various varieties of bean lentils in the range of Rs400-500 per kg, moong at Rs380 per kg, and masoor at Rs280 per kg. The prices of branded spices such as Shan, National, and others, also remained stable as a pack of 39 grams of spice is available at Rs140. The prices of the various varieties of rice remained stable as the best quality basmati price in wholesale market is available at Rs14,000 per 40kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs390 per kg, normal quality Basmati at RS13,000 per 40 kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs360 per kg, and broken Basmati at Rs10,000 per 40kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs260 per kg. Ghee/cooking oil prices remained stable as B-grade ghee/oil is available at Rs6,300 per carton of 16 packs in the wholesale market, which in retail is being sold at Rs420 against Rs400 per pack of 900 grams, while best quality cooking oil/ghee brands such as Dalda ghee in wholesale market are available at Rs2,750 per 5kg tin which in retail are being sold at Rs2,850 per 5-litre bottle. Prices of packed milk brands, Milk Pak, Olpers and others remained stable at Rs2,350 per carton, while in retail 250ml packed milk is being sold at Rs95 per 250ml. Similarly, litre pack at Rs370 per litre. Fresh milk prices in some parts of the twin cities are being sold at Rs220 per kg while in some parts are still being sold at Rs230 per kg and yoghurt price is stable at Rs250 per kg. No changes were observed in the prices of powder milk such as Nido and Lactogen as 400gram Nido powder milk is available at Rs1,320 and 200gram pack at Rs700 per pack. Bathing soaps' prices remained stable as family-size Safeguard is available at Rs160 per pack while Dettol, Lux, Palmolives and others are available at Rs150 per pack, and detergent prices also remained stable as Ariel Surf, Brite, Express Power and others are available at Rs570 per kg pack. The prices of various brands of cold drinks such as Pepsi, Coke, Miranda and others remained stable as family-size bottle is available at Rs230. Officially the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) while announcing a reduction of Rs6.47 per kg in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) price has fixed it at Rs233 against Rs240.53 per kg, while retailers have not reduced the commodity price and still selling 15kg domestic LPG cylinder at Rs4,000 against Rs3,495 OGRA fixed price reflecting an overcharging of Rs505 per cylinder. Moreover, the retailers through decanting are selling the LPG on further escalated rates as they charge Rs300-330 per kg, reflecting an overcharging of Rs67-92 per kg. LPG traders and distributors always blame the marketing companies for higher prices, saying the companies are supplying them the commodity on higher prices as a result retailers are left with no option other than shifting the price to the end consumers. According to LPG traders, the LPG marketing companies and distributors are earning billions of rupees profit by overcharging the consumers, while the OGRA which totally depends on district administration including police have totally ignored the enforcement of official commodity rates. Moreover, LPG distributors and retailers are freely selling LPG by decanting in violation of the laws as a result every other day LPG cylinder blasts are claiming precious lives. Overall vegetable and fruit prices witnessed a mixed trend as potatoes price remained stable at Rs3,400-5,200 per quintal, while in retail potatoes are being sold in the range of Rs65-100 per kg; onion price in wholesale market remained stable at Rs1,500-3,000 per quintal, which retail are being sold in the range of Rs75-100 against government set price of Rs24-42 per kg and tomato prices went up from Rs600 to Rs900 per basket of 15kg, which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs100-300 against set price of Rs63-90 per kg. Ginger price is stable at Rs1,500/1,600 per 5kg in the wholesale market, which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs450-500 per kg, local garlic price went up from Rs750 to Rs900 per 5 kg which in retail is being sold at Rs220 against Rs200 per kg, Quetta garlic price is stable at Rs900 per 5 kg which in retail is being sold at Rs250 per kg and China garlic price is also stable at Rs1,150 per 5kg in the wholesale market which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs250-300 per kg, but venders are selling local garlic in the name of China/Quetta to maximize their profits. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
19-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt to import sugar after exports
Listen to article In a paradoxical move, the government on Thursday decided to import 750,000 metric tonnes of sugar after having already exported nearly the same quantity during the current fiscal year — a move that has driven domestic prices sharply higher, benefitting sugar millers. The move has raised questions over the rationale behind the government's earlier approval of sugar exports, which critics warned would hurt domestic supply and inflate prices. The new plan includes submitting a policy for the import of 250,000 metric tonnes of raw sugar to the cabinet for approval, while 500,000 metric tonnes of refined sugar have already received in-principle approval, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced via X (formerly Twitter) after chairing his second meeting on the issue in three days. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country exported 765,734 metric tonnes of sugar between July and May this fiscal year, earning Rs114 billion. This marks a 2,200% increase in sugar exports compared to the same period last year. Exporting first and then deciding to import has sparked concerns over the government's contradictory policies and the disadvantageous position imposed on consumers. After exports, domestic sugar prices hit a record Rs190 per kilogram — Rs50 higher than the pre-export price. A Ministry of National Food Security official claimed that there were sufficient stocks and imports are only being considered to lower prices. As of the latest PBS weekly bulletin, sugar was priced between Rs170 and Rs190 per kilogram across the country. In March, the government had fixed the retail price of sugar at Rs164 per kilogram — 13% higher than the cap set during the export approval period — allowing millers to enjoy windfall gains in both local and export markets. Dar's committee had negotiated the ex-factory and retail prices of sugar with the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), which has previously been accused of cartel-like behaviour by the nation's antitrust watchdog — the Competition Commission of Pakistan. Despite the agreed rates, the government failed to ensure stable retail prices. Dar added on Thursday that the Ministry of National Food Security has been instructed to seek the Economic Coordination Committee's (ECC) formal approval for the sugar imports. Currently, the deputy prime minister is making key economic decisions that are later presented to formal forums for ratification. On Wednesday, Dar also announced a downward revision of the proposed sales tax on solar panel imports — from 18% to 10% — for the upcoming fiscal year, diverging from the initial budgetary proposal. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, meanwhile, is engaged in trade negotiations with the United States — normally the responsibility of the commerce ministry. The sugar import decision followed a high-level meeting attended by the Minister for National Food Security, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Tariq Bajwa, officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Ministry of Industries and Production, PSMA, and provincial representatives. Dar reiterated the government's commitment to balancing the interests of both consumers and producers, stressing the importance of making essential commodities affordable and widely available. According to PSMA's presentation at the meeting, average monthly sugar consumption last year was 533,000 metric tonnes, with a total annual consumption of 6.4 million tonnes. In the first half of this fiscal year, monthly consumption showed a negligible increase of 0.003% to 535,016 metric tonnes, totalling 3.5 million tonnes so far. PSMA claims current sugar stocks stand at 2.8 million tonnes — enough to meet demand until November 21 even at the compressed consumption level of 535,000 metric tonnes per month. However, the government's decision to import 750,000 tonnes suggests that either the shortage is more acute than reported or consumption is higher than projected. Experts had earlier opposed the government's decision to export sugar, fearing that it would jeopardise supply and raise prices for the entire population to benefit a small group of industrialists. The government's control over sugar trade also contradicts its recently adopted free-market agricultural policies. "Export and import decisions should be left to farmers and market forces, not to selective millers with political influence," said Usama Mela, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA, during a National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance meeting this week. The PSMA, whose members are direct beneficiaries of the export, also recommended curbing sugar smuggling to neighbouring countries and proposed a tolling policy for importing raw sugar to manage stock shortages. PSMA also suggested starting the crushing season from November 1 — a proposal that is largely seen as symbolic and may be an attempt to deflect the criticism over the export of sugar. The PSMA stated in the meeting that without duties and taxes the cost of imported sugar was Rs153 per kilogram, which is still Rs37 per kilogram cheaper than the local price bonanza. The millers claimed that the country produced 5.9 million metric tonnes of sugar this year, which was 14% or nearly 1 million tonnes less than the previous crushing season.
Express Tribune
04-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
10 health officials face dismissal over graft
An inquiry into alleged irregularities in the procurement of medicines during the caretaker government's tenure in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Health Department has been completed. Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has issued show-cause notices to 10 senior officials under the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Efficiency and Discipline Rules, 2011, accusing them of incompetence, mismanagement, and corruption. Each of the accused officials faces dismissal from service and recovery of over Rs170 million individually. According to the official notice, the investigation against these officials — including a former Director General of Health Services, an Additional Director General, a former Director of Public Health.
