The federal government has decided to fully deregulate Pakistan’s sugar sector, a move officials say will shift pricing and trade control entirely to market forces. The decision was shared on Sunday after a special committee led by Federal Power Minister Awais Leghari completed its recommendations.
Federal Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain said the proposals for complete deregulation will be presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif within the next two days. He confirmed that the government plans to end the import and export quota system and allow prices to be determined through open market demand.
According to the minister, several sugar mills across the country have already started crushing for the new season, with more than 36 mills switching on their boilers. He said that current sugar stocks are sufficient even if crushing continues until the first week of December.
Rana Tanveer added that the FBR portal for the sale of imported sugar remains active. He noted that half of the imported stock has already been sold, while the remaining quantity is still available in the market. Imported sugar, he said, is being sold in the same way as locally produced sugar, and future decisions on import or export will depend entirely on market conditions.
Officials say the deregulation plan aims to create a more transparent and competitive sugar market while reducing government intervention in pricing and trade.
