Pakistan, July 16 -- In a surprising policy shift, the government has reduced its planned sugar import from 300,000 metric tonnes to just 50,000 metric tonnes. This change comes amid strong opposition from domestic sugar millers and growing concerns from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over violations tied to Pakistan's $7 billion loan programme. The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) also postponed the bid opening date to July 22, 2025.

The decision follows a secretive agreement with sugar millers - many of whom are also lawmakers - to raise the ex-mill price from Rs159 to Rs165 per kg. While this benefits millers with billions in extra profit, retail prices for consumers remain close to Rs200 per kg, well above the official ca...