Islamabad, Nov 18 (IANS) The Pakistan government Wednesday announced a 15-day special package ahead of Eid under which a total subsidy of Rs.300-400 million would be given on more than 400 commodities. Sugar would be sold at Rs.38 per kg.

Addressing a press conference here, the Managing Director (MD) of the Utility Stores Corporation, Arif Khan, said 102,000 tonnes of sugar would be made available to consumers at Rs.38 per kg through all Utility Stores of the country.

He said 13,000 tonnes of the sugar sold at Utility Stores would be domestically procured and the balance would be imported. Although the imported sugar was more expensive, in the light of orders issued by the government, this too would be sold at Rs.38 per kg, Khan pointed out.

Utility Stores, which are spread across Pakistan, are a one-stop shop for items of daily consumption.

Khan said that the sugar would be sold on a first-come-first-served basis and there would be no restrictions on the quantity an individual could purchase, Online news agency reported.

Shortage of sugar and its rising prices have been Pakistan's bugbear in the past few weeks, with the courts being petitioned to fix a reasonable price.

Khan said that nine teams, each comprising two officials, have been formed to ensure the transparent sale of sugar. In the northwestern tribal areas, where a military operation is underway against the Taliban, sugar and other commodities would be sold through the forces.

Answering a question, Khan said the Eid package would be implemented from Nov 20 to Dec 5.