Lahore: The government’s huge revenue of Rs 112 billion by exporting sugar is apparently an economic success, but the effects of this decision have now taken a devastating form on the public level.
The supply of sugar in Lahore has almost run out. Only one truck of sugar is reaching a large wholesale market like Akbari Mandi every day. This shortage has not only made sugar disappear at the retail level but has also put tremendous pressure on prices.
Under the agreement reached between the government and sugar mill owners, the ex-mill price of sugar was fixed at Rs 165. However, retailers are complaining about the non-availability of sugar even at the official rate of Rs 173.
Economists say that the policy of gaining short-term financial benefits by increasing exports can create long-term public problems, as is currently being seen in the country’s sugar crisis.
