Nationwide Raids Yield Thousands of Recovered Goods – Sugar, Ghee, Rice, and Fertilizer
In a concerted effort to combat sugar smuggling and hoarding, sweeping operations spanning from Lahore to Peshawar and from Karachi to Quetta have led to the recovery of thousands of sacks of various essential commodities. These operations have also contributed to a decrease in sugar prices in several cities, with rates dropping to Rs. 165 per kilogram.
The Punjab government has issued directives to Deputy Commissioners in districts including Rahim Yar Khan, DG Khan, Rajanpur, Mianwali, Bhakkar, and Attock, instructing them to closely monitor sugar movements. This information has also been shared with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
In a significant raid, authorities recovered 1428 sacks of sugar with a marker indicating it was imported from China. This operation took place at the Islamabad Commission Shop located in the Chabutra area of Kalrasydan. Subsequently, the Assistant Commissioner sealed the warehouse and reported the findings to the Deputy Commissioner in Rawalpindi.
Reports suggest that more than 5,000 sacks of sugar, initially purchased at prices ranging from Rs. 4,500 to Rs. 5,000, are being sold for significantly higher rates between Rs. 8,500 to Rs. 9,000. Additionally, in the Chakwal area, authorities discovered 370 sacks of 50 kg sugar, 330 bags weighing 11,000 kg of rice, and 1815 bags of fertilizer. The goods were being hoarded for potential export, and the godown was subsequently sealed. As a result of these efforts, sugar prices have decreased by Rs. 10, reaching Rs. 165 per kilogram in Karachi.
In Sukkur, more than 2,000 sacks of sugar were successfully recovered, further disrupting illegal operations in the region. Meanwhile, a dozen trucks carrying over 15,000 sacks of sugar, wheat, and fertilizer were intercepted on Jacobabad bypass. These trucks were en route from Sindh and Punjab to Quetta via Jacobabad, serving as a transit point for smuggling these items to Afghanistan.
In yet another operation, 52 sacks of soboris were discovered in two godowns located in the Inayat Clay Bazaar of Bajaurka. Out of these, 2950 soboris were exported, and authorities sealed two warehouses in the Tamergarh area.
The closure of the Pak-Afghan border has also contributed to a decrease in sugar prices in Peshawar. As a result of these nationwide actions, authorities are making substantial strides in curbing illegal practices in the commodity market.
