Utility Stores across country run out of sugar

ISLAMABAD: Sugar is in short supply in most Utility Stores across the country, with consumers forced to pay extra for it from the open market, said sources.

Sources said sugar has disappeared from Utility Stores across the country over the past two days, adding that consumers are forced pay an extra Rs30-35 for it.

Utility Store operators have been told by suppliers that sugar will not be available for the next seven days. Sources also said that the Utility Stores Corporation do not have sugar stock available at the moment due to which six tenders to buy sugar have been issued to meet the demand gap.

Read more: After wheat shortage, Pakistan now faces sugar crisis

However, only 20,000 metric tonnes of sugar were bought on the last tender, said sources. They further confirmed that it may take one or two weeks for local sugar to be available in stores. The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), on the other hand, will issue sugar tenders on March 2. Even after a deal is signed to import the commodity, it may take up to two weeks for the sugar to land in Pakistan.

Last year, the price of sugar skyrocketed across the country, prompting a strong response from Prime Minister Imran Khan, who launched a "grand operation" against the 'sugar mafia' in the country.