KARACHI: The Pakistan Bis­cuit and Confectionery Man­u­­facturers Association (PBCMA) has urged the government to look into the soaring sugar prices hurting common and industrial consumers.

The association drew the attention of the government towards declining sugar prices on the world market.

Domestic sugar price has increased by 8 per cent from Rs52.3 to Rs56.5 per kg in two months.

The PBCMA warned that if further rise in the commodity rate is not checked during Ramazan may lead to public reaction.

The government is providing subsidies to sugar mills, lowering interest rates to encourage economic activity and providing protection to the sugar industry through 20pc regulatory duty on sugar imports, and instead of getting relief, the consumers are being burdened with high price, the PBCMA maintained.

Though the government has managed to control inflation and pulled it down to single digits, a sharp increase in price of basic commodities ahead of upcoming fasting month, would tarnish its image.

The association urged the finance minister and Federal Board of Revenue to investigate the surge in sugar prices and take steps to provide relief to all categories of consumers.

The association also demanded that the government should follow single policy on import of all categories of essential goods by imposing 5pc customs duty only.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2015

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