KARACHI: The Commissioner of Karachi has issued a new notification setting official prices for sugar across the city.

According to the notification, the wholesale price of sugar has been fixed at Rs. 170 per kilogram, while the retail price has been set at Rs. 173 per kilogram.

The Commissioner emphasized that wholesalers, retailers, and departmental stores must strictly adhere to the newly announced rates.

He said that there would be legal action against those selling sugar at higher price.

On the other hand, Residents of the federal capital are facing difficulties due to an acute shortage of sugar in local markets, raising concerns among the public over the unavailability of a basic commodity in a sugar-producing country.

Shopkeepers in Islamabad say that the official rate of sugar is Rs 172 per kg, sugar is receiving Rs 178 to 188 from the market, they will not be able to keep sugar now tired of the arrest of the price magistrate.

Citizens questioned how a country self-sufficient in sugar production could suffer such shortages, expressing fears about the availability of other essential items if the situation persists.

According to sugar dealers, the supply has been disrupted after sugar mills allegedly halted distribution following an agreement with the government to set the ex-mill price at Rs. 165 per kilogram. They warned that stocks are depleting rapidly.

However, sugar mill representatives have denied the allegations of withholding supply.