ISLAMABAD: The government is importing up to 500,000 tonnes of sugar to ensure a stable supply across the country and maintain affordable prices.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of a committee here on Tuesday to review the sugar situation in the country and the import requirements.
In the first 11 months of FY25, Pakistan exported 765,734 tonnes of sugar in return for $411m, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
According to a statement issued by the Deputy PM’s Office, the meeting was attended by the minister for food, PM’s Special Assistant Tariq Bajwa, the Ministry of Food secretary, senior officials from the Ministry of Industries and Production, and representatives of the industry.
The committee approved the import of up to 500,000 metric tons of sugar to ensure a stable supply across the country and maintain affordable prices.
The deputy prime minister reiterated the government’s commitment to price stability and protecting consumer interests.
Separately, the Ministry of National Food Security, in a statement, said that the federal cabinet has given final approval for the import of 500,000 tonnes of sugar through the public sector.
The ministry noted that all arrangements for the import process have been finalised and immediate implementation was underway, adding that the decision aims to stabilise domestic sugar prices amid growing concerns over market volatility.
It added that the latest import plan reflects a more effective and improved strategy compared to past practices. “Unlike previous years, when artificial shortages were created to justify subsidies, this import initiative is driven by the need for genuine market correction,” the ministry added.
It further said that the earlier decision to allow sugar exports was taken when domestic supplies were abundant. “Now, in light of price hikes, importing sugar is necessary to restore market balance,” the ministry concluded.
Meanwhile, market prices continue to surge. In December 2024, sugar’s ex-mill rate was Rs125–130 per kilogram. It now stands at Rs190–200 per kilogram in retail markets.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level meeting with top industrialists and business leaders from key sectors of the economy, reaffirming his government’s commitment to economic stability, export-led growth, and private sector facilitation.
During the interactive session, business leaders lauded the prime minister’s leadership and his economic team’s persistent efforts in stabilizing the country’s financial outlook, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said. They particularly commended the government for successfully concluding a critical IMF agreement and introducing a pro-business budget aimed at ease of doing business.
The prime minister welcomed the participants and underscored the importance of collaborative policy-making. He emphasised that future development would be driven by domestic resource mobilisation, reducing dependency, and making Pakistan economically self-reliant.
The prime minister announced that he would hold monthly meetings with the business community to ensure regular consultation and collective ownership of economic reforms. He said our next objective is to steer Pakistan toward sustained growth, enhance exports, create jobs, attract foreign investment while future development is to be driven by domestic resource mobilisation.
The meeting was attended by prominent figures from the textile, agriculture, cement and IT sectors. Federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Sardar Awais Leghari, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Hanif Abbasi, Jind Anwar Chaudhry, PM’s Coordinator on Agriculture Ahmad Umair, the FBR chairman, and other senior officials also participated.
Meanwhile, chairing a review meeting on the performance of agriculture sector and ongoing reforms, the prime minister asked the relevant authorities to present a comprehensive action plan to boost agricultural production and introduce agriculture reforms in the country.
“Improving agricultural productivity, value addition and increasing exports of agricultural products are top priorities of the government,” he said. He directed that a comprehensive short- and long-term action plan be presented for modern agricultural machinery, quality seeds, geographical planning of crops, and provision of easy loans to farmers.
To enhance per-acre crop yield, he directed that agricultural research centres be made more effective, further directing that modern research be ensured through public-private partnerships in the centres. The prime minister emphasized that the government should benefit from internationally renowned experts for the effective use of artificial intelligence and modern technology in agriculture. He also instructed that an action plan be presented for the development of small- and medium-sized agro-industries to enable the value addition of agricultural commodities and enhance export-ready products.
Keeping in view the changing rainfall patterns and other climatic shifts, he directed that after detailed consultation with provincial governments, especially in Sindh and Balochistan, a comprehensive plan for cotton cultivation in new suitable areas be prepared.
Meanwhile, the prime minister held separate meetings with Members of the National Assembly Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali Bhindar, Shahid Usman Ibrahim, Saad Waseem Akhtar Sheikh and former MNA Abid Raza Kotla at the PM Office.
During the meetings, the lawmakers commended the Prime Minister and the government for steering the country toward economic stability through consistent and effective policy measures, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
Meanwhile, the prime minister paid tribute to Abdul Sattar Edhi on his 9th death anniversary. In his message, the prime minister said Abdul Sattar Edhi set an unparalleled example of service to humanity. He described Edhi as a priceless asset to the nation, adding that he exemplified compassion not only for the people of Pakistan but for humanity around the world.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Qatari princess Sheikha Asma Al Thani as Pakistan’s Brand Ambassador for Mountains and Tourism after she recently summited the Nanga Parbat, which is also known as the ‘Killer Mountain’.
Following her triumphant ascent of the perilous Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest mountain located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, the premier extended his congratulations to the Qatari royal via the social media platform X and lauded her achievement as a symbol of inspiration and resilience.
“I am pleased to appoint Her Highness Sheikha Asma Al Thani as the Brand Ambassador for Pakistan’s Mountains and Tourism,” the prime minister wrote on X. “My heartfelt felicitations to Her Highness on her recent feat of scaling Nanga Parbat. It is truly inspiring! Her achievement sends a powerful message of courage and determination, and stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Qatar.”
