The Commissioner of Karachi has officially fixed new sugar prices across the city to give relief to consumers. According to a notification, the wholesale price of sugar has been set at Rs140 per kilogram, while the retail price is fixed at Rs143 per kilogram.
The notification states that these prices will take effect immediately and will remain valid until further orders. The decision has been taken to control rising prices and stop overcharging in markets.
The commissioner clearly warned that no shopkeeper, wholesaler, or trader is allowed to sell sugar at a price higher than the officially fixed rates. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone found violating the order.
All wholesalers and retailers have also been instructed to display the official price list at a visible place in their shops. This step is meant to help customers know the correct price and report overcharging if needed.
Market experts say sugar prices are already falling at the wholesale level, prices in Karachi’s wholesale market have dropped to Rs146 per kilogram, while the ex-mill price is now Rs142 per kilogram. This decline has happened after the start of the sugarcane crushing season. Sugar prices have been going down steadily and have fallen by Rs54 per kilogram since December 1. This shows that the supply situation is improving.
Despite the drop in wholesale prices, sugar is still being sold at Rs170 to Rs180 per kilogram in many areas of Karachi because of weak monitoring and administrative negligence.
The chairman expressed hope that prices would fall further in the coming weeks. If proper checks are put in place, sugar could sell at around Rs120 per kilogram by the end of the month.
He urged authorities to ensure strict monitoring so that the benefit of lower prices reaches ordinary consumers.