Ishaq Dar Announces Sugar Price Reduction, Sets Cap on Retail and Ex-Mills Prices

Dar Commits to Resolving Sugar Price Issue, Explores Two-Tier Pricing System

By DTD- On Mar 19, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday announced decisive measures to address the rising sugar prices in the country, calling the sale of sugar at Rs178-180 per kilogram “intolerable.” He declared that the retail price of sugar would remain capped at Rs164 per kg, while the ex-mills price would be limited to under Rs159 per kg.

The announcement came after a meeting to review sugar prices, which was broadcast live on national television. Dar said that a sub-committee would be formed to submit recommendations within a month to resolve the ongoing sugar crisis.

The committee, which was set up on the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has already held several meetings in response to the price hikes that occurred during the holy month of Ramadan. Dar emphasized that the current sugar prices were unacceptable to both the government and the prime minister.

The sub-committee, headed by Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, is expected to provide its feedback by April 19. The committee had interacted with representatives from the sugar mills association to understand their concerns regarding the price surge.

The meeting was attended by key government officials, including Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, PM’s Adviser Haroon Akhtar, and senior representatives from the sugar mills association.

Dar reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the issue and providing relief to the public by ensuring the availability of sugar at a reasonable price in the market. He further noted that with collective consultations, the government was exploring the possibility of implementing a two-tier pricing system to ensure the common man gets sugar at the lowest price.

The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to the sugar mills association for providing sugar at a subsidized rate of Rs130 per kg at all 274 “sasta bazaars” across the country. He reassured the public that there was no shortage of sugar in Pakistan and that any artificial shortages would be dealt with firmly.

Dar’s statements reflect the government’s resolve to tackle the sugar price issue and provide relief to consumers across the nation.