ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has underscored the importance of maintaining the availability of essential commodities at prices that are accessible to the general public. This was the focal point of a high-level meeting he chaired in Islamabad, aimed at reviewing the current pricing and supply chain of key food items, with a particular focus on sugar.

During the meeting, Dar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to balancing the interests of consumers and producers. The discussion centered on measures to ensure that essential goods remain within reach for consumers, amidst fluctuating market conditions.

A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to propose a policy for the import of 250,000 metric tons of raw sugar to the Cabinet for approval. Additionally, there was an in-principle agreement to import 500,000 metric tons of refined sugar. The Ministry of National Food Security was tasked with processing this through the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).

The meeting gathered notable attendees including the Minister for National Food Security, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, senior officials from the Federal Board of Revenue, the Federal Investigation Agency, Ministry of Industries and Production, as well as representatives from the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and provincial bodies.