Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, signaling an abject sugar crisis looming over Pakistan, has asked Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to get the directives issued to Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCoP) for import of sugar in the earliest possible ease, Geo news reported on Wednesday (30-Dec-09).

In a letter written to PM Gilani, CM Punjab said sugar mills are producing sugar below production capacity owing to low supply of sugar cane, which might result in shortage of 1.2 metric tonnes of sugar in 2010.

He also voiced serious concern over likely surge in sugar prices by dint of shortage in markets, which is already selling at Rs53 in Punjab provin