ISLAMABAD: Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar on Friday said the government had imported sugar, which would reduce prices of the commodity by 15 to 20 rupees per kilogramme.

He said this while addressing a joint news conference with Minister for National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Syed Shibli Faraz in Islamabad.

Hammad Azhar said over one hundred tons of imported sugar had arrived at Karachi port out of which 40,000 tons had been released to the Punjab government to provide the sweetener at controlled rates. He said the sugar mills had also assured to start the crushing season early as decided with the Punjab government, which will too help reduce prices of sugar in the domestic market.

Talking about wheat shortage, Syed Fakhar Imam said 1.8 million tons of the food staple in total will be imported by January next year. He said the private sector had so for imported 220,000 tons of wheat.

Replying to a question, Syed Shibli Faraz said the government did not have any intention to privatize Pakistan Television.