Residents across Karachi are grappling with yet another blow to their monthly expenses as sugar prices have soared to Rs190 per kilogram, marking one of the steepest hikes in recent memory.

This sudden spike has occurred just days after sugar was selling at Rs175 per kg, with the increase of Rs10 to Rs15 per kg catching both consumers and small retailers off guard. Local vendors across several neighborhoods are reportedly charging even higher rates, prompting widespread frustration and suspicion of market manipulation.

Retailers claim that the surge is a result of increased procurement prices at the wholesale level. However, consumers and watchdog groups point fingers at hoarders and profiteers—often referred to as the “sugar mafia”—accused of manufacturing an artificial shortage.

“I planned to buy five kilograms, but I left with only half. Prices like this are just not sustainable,” said a customer at a bustling North Nazimabad market.

The hike has been especially damaging for lower-income households that rely on daily-use commodities like sugar. Prices for over 100 essential items have also reportedly risen, intensifying public pressure on the government for immediate intervention.

To address the crisis, the federal government has approved the import of 500,000 tons of sugar in an effort to balance demand and supply. However, critics argue the move is insufficient and lacks the teeth needed to address long-standing structural issues in the sugar trade.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has authorized a nationwide crackdown targeting hoarders and speculative traders. Authorities are expected to conduct inspections and implement price-control measures in affected urban centers, including Karachi.

Despite these promises, many citizens remain skeptical about the long-term impact unless systemic regulatory reforms are implemented. The unchecked volatility of sugar prices now symbolizes deeper failures in economic governance and price regulation in Pakistan’s markets.