Latest news with #Rs220
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sugar shortage persists despite new supply
The ongoing sugar crisis in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad has seen only marginal improvement, with market instability persisting. On Monday, 600 sugar bags were supplied to the Rawalpindi district by local sugar mills at the administration's request. However, the limited stock was rapidly consumed, doing little to alleviate the broader shortage. With over 18,000 grocery shops operating in the twin cities, the entire shipment was swiftly acquired by wholesale dealers, leaving virtually no supply available for retail consumers. As a result, many grocery outlets across Rawalpindi have exhausted their sugar stock. In the open market, sugar is currently being sold at Rs210 to Rs220 per kilogram, depending on the area. Despite the severity of the crisis, there remains no coordinated distribution mechanism between sugar mills, brokers, wholesalers, and retail merchants. High-level meetings held in Lahore and Islamabad on Monday yielded no actionable outcomes. The wholesale supply of sugar has been suspended for the past 13 days, causing stockouts at most retail stores. Those few shops still holding stock are reportedly selling at Rs210 per kg in central areas and up to Rs220 per kg in surrounding localities.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sugar crisis deepens across twin cities
In the digital age, there's no excuse for opacity as a transparent digital dashboard that tracks sugar from mills to wholesalers to retailers would make it harder for hoarders and profiteers to operate undetected. Photo: file The ongoing dispute over sugar supply, wholesale pricing, and retailer profits involving sugar mills, brokers, dealers, and district administration has triggered a severe sugar crisis in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. With wholesale supply disrupted, most retailers in the district have run out of stock. Sugar is now being sold at inflated prices of up to Rs220 per kilogram. In response to heavy fines and shop closures by the district administration, many retailers have removed sugar from shelves, with some selling it secretly at higher prices only to known customers. Initial negotiations between the sugar merchant association, the cane commissioner, and FBR have shown some progress. A breakthrough is expected in an upcoming meeting chaired by the federal minister. However, the crisis remains unresolved. Association leaders Rizwan Shaukat and Saleem Pervaiz Butt claim the government set the ex-mill price at Rs165 and allowed an Rs8 profit marginpermitting retail sale at Rs173. But mills are allegedly charging Rs176 per kg, making it unviable for retailers to comply. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqas Cheema said pricing is not a district matter and must follow federal directives. Authorities are strictly enforcing the Rs173 rate, with penalties for violations. In the last 24 hours, 127 violations were reported. Fines totaling Rs145,000 were imposed, five retailers were arrested, and nine shops sealed. District-wise breakdown includes Rawalpindi (2 violations, Rs30,000 fines), Attock (11 violations, Rs8,500), Jhelum (16 violations, Rs30,000), Chakwal (8 violations, Rs22,000), and Murree (90 violations, Rs55,000, 3 arrests). Commissioner Amir Khattak has instructed retailers to ensure sugar availability at government-set prices, display rate lists prominently, and avoid hoarding or artificial shortages.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Retailers halt sugar sales over price dispute
The Kiryana Merchants Association announced on Tuesday a province-wide suspension of retail sugar sales in protest against recent government crackdowns, including raids, arrests, shop closures, and hefty fines imposed on shopkeepers. Starting Tuesday, retailers had ceased sugar sales until a fair and sustainable pricing mechanism is established. The announcement was made by Hafiz Arif Gujjar, Central President of the Association, and Saleem Parvez Butt, President of the Association's Rawalpindi Division. In the wake of the retail suspension, sugar is reportedly being sold on the black market at up to Rs220 per kilogram in urban centers and surrounding areas. Retailers, in an effort to avoid penalties, are now limiting sugar sales to known customers and local hotels, bypassing walk-in consumers. The Association leaders voiced strong objections to the government's pricing directives, highlighting the discrepancy between the official retail price of Rs165 per kg and the actual wholesale rate of Rs176-178 per kg set by sugar mills. They argued that it is economically unviable for small retailers to purchase sugar at such high prices and then sell it below cost. "We are being asked to sell sugar at Rs173 per kg while purchasing it at Rs176 or more. The government has arbitrarily set an Rs8 profit margin based on an unrealistic wholesale rate that mills don't follow," the Association stated. Despite informing the authorities about these pricing inconsistencies over the past two weeks, the Association said the government responded with punitive actions instead of addressing the supply issues. Shops were sealed, retailers fined, and arrests made — measures the Association deems unjust and unsustainable. Leaders further alleged that sugar mills, brokers, and dealers — many with political connections — continue to operate without restriction, supplying sugar above the official rates, while small shopkeepers are being disproportionately targeted by administrative enforcement. Reaffirming their commitment to dialogue and reform, the Association expressed a willingness to engage in negotiations and work toward a long-term pricing solution. While they are open to reducing their profit margins, they emphasised that selling at a loss is not a viable option. As part of the protest, the Association has directed all member retailers to immediately deplete their existing sugar inventories and halt new sales. Meanwhile, enforcement actions have escalated across the Rawalpindi Division, which comprises Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Murree, and Talagang. Authorities have issued challans to 127 shopkeepers for allegedly overpricing sugar, levying fines ranging from Rs20,000 to Rs25,000 per shop. Additionally, 59 retail outlets have been sealed, and several sugar stockpiles seized from warehouses. The Association has issued a final warning: if intimidation and penalties continue, they will escalate their protest into a complete strike of all grocery shops throughout Punjab.
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sugar crisis deepens as retailers cut off supply
In the digital age, there's no excuse for opacity as a transparent digital dashboard that tracks sugar from mills to wholesalers to retailers would make it harder for hoarders and profiteers to operate undetected. Photo: file The sugar crisis in Punjab, including Rawalpindi, has intensified following a deadlock between sugar mills, government authorities, wholesale dealers, brokers, and retail merchants. The Retail Merchants Association has halted all purchases from sugar mills, issuing directives to retailers to sell off current stock and cease further sugar sales. Retailers with surplus stock have been advised to distribute it to smaller shopkeepers to liquidate inventory. The association warned of a severe sugar shortage next week, with prices potentially reaching Rs220/kg. Association leaders Sheikh Rizwan Shaukat and Saleem Pervaiz Butt stated they will not be blackmailed or intimidated. "Our dignity comes before profit," they said, accusing sugar mill owners of becoming untouchable due to political connections. Retailers claim they cannot sell sugar purchased at Rs176-180 per kg for Rs173 per kg, as enforced by price controls.
Express Tribune
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Imran Khan held in 'death cell', claims PTI
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has raised alarm over what it described as 'inhumane' treatment of its incarcerated founder, Imran Khan, claiming he is being held in a 'death cell' under near-total isolation. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, PTI Central Secretary for Information Sheikh Waqas Akram alleged that Khan is confined to solitary detention for 22 hours daily, denied access to newspapers, television, books, and is barred from meeting his legal team and close associates. Akram stated that the conditions amount to psychological torture and a blatant violation of basic human rights. 'Imran Khan is effectively cut off from the world. His fundamental right to meet six designated individuals is being denied, despite explicit court orders, which constitutes contempt of court,' he said. He added that similar restrictions have been imposed on Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, who is allegedly being denied family visits, while Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, has also been prevented from seeing him. Read More: Imran Khan tells PTI leaders to end rift, focus on movement Calling on the Chief Justice of Pakistan to intervene, Akram urged the judiciary to restore its 'dwindling credibility and independence' in the face of what he termed the executive's open defiance of court rulings. 'The violation of judicial orders is not just an insult to the courts but to the entire justice system,' he remarked. The PTI spokesperson also questioned the recent disqualification of politician Jamshed Dasti, claiming that Article 62(1)(d) of the Constitution has never before been used to unseat public representatives, and alleging that constitutional provisions are now being misapplied for political engineering. Highlighting concerns over the health and treatment of other detained PTI leaders, he pointed to the 'deteriorating condition' of Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the 'systematic violation' of Dr Yasmin Rashid's rights, and the continued imprisonment of Ejaz Chaudhry despite Supreme Court orders granting him bail. On economic matters, Akram criticised the federal government over skyrocketing fuel prices, claiming petrol prices have surged by 82% over the past 15 months. 'During PTI's term, petrol prices rose by Rs51, but the current government scrapped subsidies and pushed the price to Rs220 per litre,' he said. Also Read: Imran Khan chose prison over life of comfort abroad He also accused the government of orchestrating a Rs92 billion sugar scandal, alleging that after the approval to export 765,000 metric tons of sugar, domestic supplies vanished from the market, causing prices to soar to Rs200 per kilogram. Addressing the May 9 cases, Akram claimed that the prosecution's position has collapsed following the withdrawal of a key investigating officer and the absence of primary witness Hassan Afzal. He demanded the immediate dismissal of all related cases. Expressing sorrow over the recent floods in Punjab that led to 103 deaths and the destruction of 250 homes, Akram criticised what he described as the government's inept disaster response. 'When the public protests, they are jailed. Yet, officials responsible for this negligence go unpunished,' he remarked. In closing, Akram disclosed that Khan has conveyed directives concerning the upcoming Senate elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, delegating authority for awarding Senate tickets to the provincial parliamentary party to prevent horse-trading. However, he clarified that no ticket can be issued without Khan's personal approval. 'PTI remains committed to internal democracy and transparency,' he affirmed.
