Disparity in sugar prices irks PM.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed serious concerns over mounting sugar prices in the country. As per the documents available with this scribe, members of the Sugar Advisory Board were informed in the previous meeting that PM Imran Khan had shown serious concerns over the difference in sugar prices across the country. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) secretary had informed the board that there was a difference of Rs10/kg to Rs15/kg between the average retail price and ex-mill price of sugar. The average retail price of sugar was Rs75/kg and Rs80/kg in some cities.

This is against the claim of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) that exmill prices of sugar had come down from Rs69kg in September to Rs65kg in October 2019. During the meeting, the Kissan Board of Pakistan representatives insisted to link the price of sugar with sugarcane. 'If the price of sugarcane is not increased from Rs180/40kg to Rs250/40kg, it would be very difficult for the growers to bear the input price for upcoming crop and the country will face crisis.'

The NFSR secretary...