Islamabad: Utility Stores Halt Sugar Sales Due to Federal Excise Duty

Islamabad:Utility Stores have ceased the sale of sugar under the Prime Minister’s Relief Package due to the imposition of Federal Excise Duty of Rs. 15 per kilogram in the federal budget for commercial purposes. As a result, citizens have been compelled to purchase more expensive sugar from open markets, depriving them of cheaper sugar available under the relief package.

A spokesperson for Utility Stores Corporation stated that despite having ample stock available, the Corporation has suspended sugar sales due to the new Federal Excise Duty of Rs. 15 per kilogram. The spokesperson added that they have requested guidance from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for clarification, and once cleared by the FBR, the sale of sugar will resume immediately.

This development has caused inconvenience to the public who were relying on affordable sugar provided through the relief package, and are now facing higher prices in open markets.