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ISLAMABAD, Jul 9 (APP):Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain on Wednesday said that government is committed to combating inflation and ensuring the availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices in order to facilitate the common man in the country.
The minister chaired the meeting of the Steering Committee on sugar import, which thoroughly reviewed the availability, quality, import mechanism, and price control of sugar in the country.
It was unanimously decided to take immediate measures to avoid any potential shortage or unnecessary price hikes and to ensure timely relief to the public while maintaining market balance, said a press release.
The meeting decided that the import of sugar will be carried out through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to ensure transparency, quality control and efficient government oversight. To facilitate this process, the government has exempted all duties and taxes on sugar imports so that sugar can be made available to the general public at affordable prices and inflationary pressures can be eased.
Initially, sugar will be imported in two phases. In the first phase, a tender for 200,000 metric tons of sugar will be issued, followed by another tender for 150,000 metric tons after one week. These quantities have been determined in line with immediate market requirements and anticipated demand in the coming weeks.
The imported sugar will be of premium quality, meeting standard market expectations—specifically, the coarse-grain variety commonly used by consumers. Additionally, post-shipment inspection will be strictly enforced to ensure that quality standards are upheld.
Speaking on the occasion, Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized that the decision is part of the broader vision to provide direct relief to the public. A streamlined and active system will be deployed to guarantee the timely distribution of imported sugar across the country, leaving no room for hoarding or profiteering.
The minister further stressed that the government is not only focused on availability but also on maintaining a balance between quality, accessibility, and affordability. He expressed hope that this strategic intervention will help stabilize sugar prices in the local market and significantly ease the financial burden on consumers.
He reaffirmed that the Ministry of National Food Security & Research remains in constant coordination with all relevant departments to prevent any future shortages or price shocks. He reiterated the government’s commitment to public welfare, emphasizing that all decisions are being taken with utmost transparency and in the best interest of the people.