Here’s a rewritten version of the article, suitable for a blog post, based on the title “Govt Denies Sugar Price Hike”:
**(Image: Same image as in the original article)**
**The Pakistan government has strongly denied recent reports of a sugar price hike, following up on concerns raised by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.**
Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer, dismissed claims, particularly one published in an English newspaper stating sugar prices had reached Rs180/kg, as “baseless.”
Tanveer explained that PM Shehbaz Sharif, taking swift notice of the reported price increases, established a committee headed by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to oversee the sugar market.
The government’s intervention, according to Tanveer, has already resulted in a Rs5/kg decrease, bringing the price down to Rs162/kg. Additionally, in a collaborative effort with sugar mills, 135 stalls have been established across the country, including two in Islamabad, offering sugar at a subsidized rate of Rs130/kg.
The minister firmly stated that further price increases would not be tolerated, emphasizing the government’s close collaboration with provincial authorities. He warned of strict action against anyone selling sugar above Rs162/kg.
Tanveer also addressed concerns about the impact of last year’s sugar exports, clarifying that Pakistan had a surplus at the time, and only a portion of it was exported. While acknowledging that this year’s sugarcane production was lower due to heavy rains, he reassured the public that ample stock remains, including a 500,000-tonne reserve.
He concluded by accusing specific interest groups of spreading misinformation, stating that certain “mafias” are actively working against price stability.