Provinces directed to control sugar prices

ISLAMABAD: Taking note of the resurgence in sug­ar prices, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin on Wednesday directed the provincial authorities to take appropriate measures to control the prices of the sweetener.

The meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), chaired by Mr Tarin, was informed that sugar was still selling around Rs100 per kg in major cities including Karachi, Rawalpindi and Peshawar.

The NPMC was updated on the prices of wheat flour which fell further. The meeting expressed satisfaction over the availability of sufficient stocks of wheat.

However, the committee was apprised that the new stocks arriving in the market will ease out sugar prices. The meeting was informed that the sowing of wheat was satisfactory in Sindh and Punjab. However, the sowing in Balochistan and KP was affected due to the drought situation but now it is in progress and targets will be achieved.

The committee was informed that the increase in prices of chicken and eggs was due to seasonal factors. The meeting noted that the milk prices stayed normal across the country.

Mr Tarin directed the food security ministry to work out a suitable plan for the optimal level of milk prices in order to ensure its smooth and sustainable supply in the market.