Karachi: The price of sugar in Karachi has once again surged sharply, crossing Rs190 per kilogram in various areas, according to a report by ARY News. The sudden hike has added to the growing financial strain on citizens already grappling with inflation.
Just days ago, sugar was available at Rs175 per kilogram. However, an abrupt increase of Rs10 to Rs15 has sparked public outrage and renewed allegations of profiteering by what many describe as the “sugar mafia” operating unchecked across Pakistan.
Local reports indicate that retailers are now charging Rs190 per kg for sugar, with some neighborhood shops demanding even higher prices. While wholesalers cite rising procurement costs, many consumers accuse suppliers of deliberately creating a shortage to inflate prices.
“I came to buy five kilograms of sugar, but I could only manage two and a half. That’s all I could afford,” said a shopper at a local market.
The price surge has hit low-income families the hardest, many of whom rely on sugar as a daily necessity. Residents are calling on the government to step in and provide immediate relief. “More than 100 essential items have become costlier by Rs20 to Rs50. We’re struggling to keep up,” another local resident shared.
In response to the price crisis, the federal government has approved the import of 500,000 tons of sugar in an attempt to stabilize the market. But critics argue that the move is both insufficient and delayed, stressing the need to break the stronghold of the sugar lobby that continues to manipulate prices with impunity.
The sugar price spike is being seen as part of a larger problem tied to weak governance, poor market oversight, and deepening economic inequality. Without decisive intervention, experts warn that the rising burden will continue to fall on the country’s most vulnerable populations.
Amid growing public pressure, the Pakistan government has announced plans to take action against those hoarding sugar and driving up prices. According to ARY News, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a comprehensive crackdown aimed at curbing artificial inflation in the sugar market.
