Islamabad — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate nationwide crackdown on sugar hoarders, speculators, and price manipulators to combat rising prices. Key agencies like FIA, IB, FBR, and SBP have been given full authority to act. The crackdown targets urban and industrial areas amid fears of artificial shortages.
To overcome the rising sugar prices, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a nationwide crackdown on sugar against hoarders, speculators, and price manipulators, official sources confirmed on Wednesday.
The government has taken the move immediately due to the rising pressure of inflation on the people and the rise in everyday commodity prices.
Full Powers Given to Key Institutions
According to high-level government sources, the Prime Minister has granted full operational authority to major institutions including the:
- Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
- Intelligence Bureau (IB)
- Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
- State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)
These agencies have been tasked with identifying and taking action against individuals and groups involved in hoarding, cartelization, and speculative trading within the sugar industry.
Enforcement to Begin Immediately
Authorities have confirmed that the crackdown will be launched immediately, especially in urban and industrial areas where reports of sugar storage have been received.
According to intelligence reports, some groups are raising prices by creating artificial shortage of sugar. Such groups are under monitoring and strict action is expected soon.
Wider Economic Context
This initiative comes at a time when the government is under increasing pressure to control inflation and prevent commodity price shocks ahead of Eid-ul-Azha and the 2025–26 fiscal year. Sugar, which is the basic need for every Pakistani home, has been suffering from severe price fluctuations in recent months.
In this context, the government has also started revising import policies and tax structures to keep prices stable and ensure availability of sugar in the local market.
Political and Public Response
Political analysts say the crackdown reflects the government’s seriousness of action against market control and illegal profiteering and can increase public confidence.
Opposition leaders have also welcomed the move, but emphasized the need for transparency so that no businessman can be targeted. Consumer rights groups have also applauded the initiative, calling it a “necessary intervention” in the interest of price stability. Now the focus is on federal agencies which are expected to immediately and effective results.
