ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Industries on Tuesday urged the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) to resolve the ex-mill sugar price fixation issue soon as the sweetener is being sold at retail level for Rs100 per kg across the country.

The NPMC meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, was briefed by the ministry regarding the considerable progress made on the issue of determining the ex-mill price of sugar in consultation with the provincial governments. The ministry will come up with the final position on the issue shortly.

The provincial governments in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had fixed sugar price at Rs80 per kg. The millers in Punjab challenged this price in the Lahore High Court (LHC). However, the LHC allowed Punjab government to purchase 155,000 tonnes of sugar from mills for the month of Ramazan only at the prescribed price. Sindh and Balochis­tan have not yet fixed sugar price.

Talking to Dawn, a source privy to the development said that final determination of ex-factory price was subjected to the court’s decision. “We are awaiting the decision which will pave way for determining the ex-factory price,” the source said.

According to the source, millers have declared cost of sugar at Rs68 per kg and after inclusion of taxes it will still remain Rs80 per kg. The Punjab government is also framing rules in this regard.

During the meeting, it was emphasised that the Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFSR) will assume the primary role in raising the production of essential imported food items including edible oil and pulses. The MNFSR also reaffirmed its resolve to build reserves of essential food items in partnership with the provinces.

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) briefed the NPMC on the strict action being taken against profiteers in the poultry market and the resultant decline in the price of chicken across the country.

The CCP briefed that their action will continue until the prices are normalised. Mr Tarin appreciated the efforts of the CCP and said that their active actions against unfair practices in the markets will bring maximum relief to the common man.

The Punjab chief secretary informed the NPMC that Passco MD has been facilitated as per the directions of the chair to meet the wheat procurement targets of Passco.

On the occasion, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) gave a detailed presentation on gap analysis of the prices of essential food items in different markets across the country.

The NPMC noted that prices were higher in the federal capital. Mr Tarin issued directions to the Capital Administration to control the prices of essential items in Islamabad and present a detailed report on the measures taken in the next week’s meeting.

The PBS also shared data on difference between wholesale and retail prices and the interpretation of price variations. The NPMC was also briefed on the intervention of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) in mitigating the inflationary pressure.

The finance minister directed USC to proactively make arrangements for the provision of smooth supply of all essential items in the country to control prices of essential items.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2021