The rising cost of sugar has deepened the financial strain on citizens across Pakistan, with prices now surpassing Rs200 per kilogram in several urban centres.

This surge follows the government’s controversial decision to allow sugar exports, and now — in an apparent reversal — to issue the first tender for imports.

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ latest weekly report, sugar prices have risen for the sixth consecutive week, with a Rs3.52 per kg increase recorded just last week.

Major cities including Karachi, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi are among the worst affected, where sugar is being sold at over Rs200 per kg.

Elsewhere, sugar prices vary but remain high: Rs192 in Lahore and Sialkot, Rs195 in Larkana, Rs190 in Gujranwala, Multan, Peshawar, and Hyderabad, Rs188 in Quetta and Khuzdar, and Rs180 in Sukkur.

In Faisalabad, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, and Bannu, the price hovers around Rs185 per kg.

But sugar isn’t the only commodity becoming more expensive.

The Bureau of Statistics notes that prices of 19 essential food items rose during the past week.

Broiler chicken saw a jump of Rs78.32, tomatoes by Rs10.56, and garlic by Rs8.44.

Price hikes were also observed in milk, yogurt, potatoes, and onions.

Despite the inflationary trend, the federal government has authorised the private sector to import 500,000 tonnes of sugar, with the first official tender already released.

Officials claim that the influx of imported sugar will help stabilize domestic prices.

However, the government’s handling of the sugar supply chain has drawn sharp criticism from economists and civil society.

Many have called the export-import policy a “golden opportunity for profiteers,” arguing that the current crisis could have been avoided if timely action had been taken to curb exports and secure local reserves.

Experts warn that without immediate intervention — including price controls and a crackdown on hoarders and profiteers — the situation could spiral further out of control, deepening the impact of inflation on already burdened households.