Govt rejects millers’ demand to allow sugar export

In an unprecedented move to prevent a potential surge in local retail prices, the Sugar Advisory Board on Tuesday rejected a proposal from sugar millers seeking permission for export. The millers have sought approval to export 500,000 tonnes of sugar before the commencement of the sugarcane crushing season. The advisory board meeting was presided over by Commerce Minister Gohar Ejaz and attended by stakeholders, including representatives from the mills. “Under no circumstances I will permit the export of even a single tonne of sugar from the country,” Mr Gohar told Dawn. He emphasised that the interim government’s top priority is to safeguard domestic consumers, a stark contrast to the PMLN-led coalition government’s ministers who allowed exports which led to skyrocketing local prices. The retail price of sugar was reduced from above Rs200 per kg to a national average of Rs130-174 per kg following a stringent crackdown launched in August on smuggling and hoarding. However, with the recent rise in international prices, permitting exports could lead to Pakistan importing sugar at triple the price for domestic sales, he explained.