KARACHI: Pakistan has invited global suppliers to bid for up to 500,000 metric tonnes of white refined sugar, as the government moves to tackle a sharp rise in local prices.
The state-run Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) issued the tender on Friday, with offers due by July 18. The sugar can be sourced from any country, and the minimum offer size is 25,000 tonnes. Shipments will begin in August, and all deliveries must reach Pakistan by September 30.
TCP has the right to buy more or less than the advertised amount, depending on the bids it receives.
This step follows a government decision to import sugar to ease supply pressures. Retail prices have surged since January, largely due to large-scale exports that left the local market short.
To support imports, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has slashed taxes. A new notification cuts sales tax on sugar imports from 18 per cent to 0.25 per cent, and removes the 3 per cent value-added tax. These tax breaks will apply to imports made up to September 30, 2025.
Officials say the move is aimed at bringing relief to consumers and preventing further price hikes as domestic supply struggles to meet demand.
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