Sugar Prices Soar Amid Political Blame Game

KARACHI: Sugar prices have reached unprecedented levels across the country, sparking a heated blame game among former ruling coalition members. As sugar prices continue to rise, traders, politicians, and growers are pointing fingers at each other regarding the responsibility for the country's diminishing sugar stocks.

Growers are placing the blame squarely on the recently dissolved Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government, alleging that it failed to combat smuggling activities that resulted in the export of nearly a million metric tonnes of sugar across the border in the past year.

Reports indicate that in various regions, sugar prices have surged to alarming levels. In Balochistan's Chaman area, one kilogram of sugar was selling for a staggering Rs230, while in the central Punjab town of Arifwala, it reached Rs185/kg, according to PPI reports. In Karachi, the wholesale price of sugar dropped by Rs2 to Rs176 per kg, but the retail price remained high at Rs190 for 1kg.

Last week, the caretaker government expressed grave concerns over depleting sugar stocks following a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Caretaker Cabinet, where it was revealed that only 2.27 million tonnes of sugar were available in the country. The rising cost of sugarcane and legal orders were also identified as factors contributing to the surging sugar prices.

However, this issue has now become a point of contention between former coalition partners, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Senator Taj Haider of the PPP took to Twitter to accuse the former interior minister, Rana Sanaullah, of facilitating sugar smuggling, stating, "Honourable Rana Sanaullah allowed 1.4 million tons of sugar to be smuggled." Haider also questioned former planning minister Ahsan Iqbal's responsibility in the crisis.

The dispute gained momentum after Ahsan Iqbal claimed on a Geo News appearance that Naveed Qamar should be held accountable for authorizing sugar exports in previous months. He suggested that Qamar, who was in charge of the ministry at the time, would be better equipped to disclose the sugar stock situation when the ministry approved its export.

Ahsan Iqbal further emphasized that the previous government was a coalition, and all members, not just the PML-N, should be held responsible for the challenges faced during their tenure.

Growers, however, remain unconvinced by the arguments presented by either side and continue to blame all members of the past government for the ongoing crisis. Sardar Yaqoob Sindhu of the Anjuman-i-Tahaffuz-i-Kashtkararan pointed out that sugar smuggling began almost a year ago, right under the government's nose. In August 2022, reports surfaced about sugar smuggling, but the concerns went unaddressed.

According to Sindhu, sugar prices have skyrocketed, with a 100-kg bag that was available for Rs8,400 in August 2022 now priced at Rs17,000 to Rs18,000. He asserted that approximately 700,000 metric tonnes of sugar have been smuggled into Afghanistan, with an additional 300,000 to 400,000 metric tonnes stockpiled in border towns' warehouses.

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