Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, convener of the Awam Pakistan Party, said that governments that do not represent the people only worry about filling their own pockets.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, he stated that the price of sugar has risen close to 200 rupees per kilogram, and the time for managing the market through administrative efforts is over.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi pointed out that every 1 rupee increase in sugar prices costs the public’s pockets 7 billion rupees. The sugar price hike has benefited sugar mill owners with an additional 30 to 40 billion rupees, giving them an undue advantage.
He added that despite the existence of a sugar monitoring committee in the cabinet and at least 7 to 8 other committees tasked with controlling sugar prices in the country, prices have still increased.
He said, “As long as these rulers remain in power, the country suffers heavily every moment.”
He further criticized the government’s decision to allow sugar exports when there was insufficient sugar in the country. Currently, 1 billion rupees per day are being transferred from the pockets of the people to the sugar mill owners. He condemned the government, parliament, and the price control committees for failing to control the situation.
Abbasi said the situation with flour prices has worsened even further. The governance of the country is in such a state that sugar prices have increased by 50% in just one year, yet no one is ready to take responsibility or admit mistakes.
He noted that now the government has allowed sugar imports — with the private sector exporting sugar while the government handles imports. The government bought sugar at prices higher than the market rate and even above international market rates.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also said the government gave exemptions on sales tax on sugar but did not allow that sugar to enter the market. Instead, factories producing beverages and other products were forced to buy this sugar, limiting the supply of imported sugar in the market, which would have benefited the public.
He added that sugar mill owners were given special consideration even in sugar imports, receiving relief in that area as well.
