Ramadan is the month of blessings for Muslims, but in Pakistan it comes as an opportunity for the hoarders and profiteers to make a quick buck. The Punjab government took foremost decisions and gave strict instructions to control price, but the prices fired ahead of Ramadan. The district administration was unable to prevent the hoarders making wholesalers and retailers to openly sell sugar up to Rs 55 to 60 per Kg.
On the other hand Federal government strives to offer some relief to the consumers through Utility stores but the quality and weight of essential food items at its outlets are again questionable, which are not clarified by the related parties. The provincial government is taking this issue as a regular fuss created every year before Ramadan.
Projecting from what we see from the past government has no control over the market, the so-called price control committees failed to bring normality in the prices of eatables. Every year Ramadan invites the government to take measures to control prices and relieve the people, but the huge difference between the statements and implementations remains the same. Regardless of the government’s claim that there is no shortage of sugar in the country with 1.6 million tons of sugar in stock which is sufficient till the year-end or beginning of new crushing season, the sugar crisis is still there.
The sugarcane production is under severe decline over the past two years mainly due to shortage of irrigation water, shift to rice crop, less use of DAP and non-payments of dues to farmers by the sugar mills on time. For 2008-09, sugarcane production was estimated at 50 million tons against 63.9 million tons in 2007-08.
Pakistan is famously taken as an Agricultural country. So, these issues regarding the naturally produced eatables shouldn’t become high lightened. The small little issues which have been pushed to be visualized as big issues should be resolved seriously. All the industrial and agricultural setup along with the water issue with India should be revised and resolved seriously, otherwise these issues will remain there as a hindrance in the development of Pakistan.
Saad Barlas…
It is ismple economics… rule 101 … demand drives up price
Rather then calling people Hoarders etc use your common sense. if you sell anything… the price will always fluctuate… depending on the demand and how much someone is willing to pay
wake up and stop blaming your fellow muslims
i think he has not said common people are hoarders.use your common sense there are people who really are. he has not said to all common people.