
KP has become hub of corruption: Azma
She highlighted that a massive Rs. 40 billion scam in the development sector was recently followed by a Rs. 16 billion corruption case in the education department.
Azma Bokhari further revealed that a fresh scandal in the mineral department has come to light, involving the granting of gold mining contracts in five districts of KP to favoured individuals at throwaway prices. 'These so-called honest leaders have a track record of corruption that begins in the billions.
Their entire legacy is based on personal gain and loot,' she remarked. The minister said that PTI's loyalists of treating KP's treasury as their inheritance, and said that not a single new development project has been launched in the province in the past one and a half years, while corruption continues to break records.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Rs300bn ‘windfall': NA panel seeks sugar mill directors' names
ISLAMABAD: A National Assembly panel headed by PTI stalwart Atif Khan on Monday sought the names of sugar mill directors holding at least 20 percent shares from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), amid reports of Rs 300 billion windfall profits made through price manipulation in connivance with dealers. Officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) informed the panel that at least 14 FBR officials, allegedly involved in the illegal release of sugar, have been suspended and are currently under investigation. The Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production told the committee that millers and dealers manipulated prices following the expiry of the sugar export deadline, earning approximately $440 million from these exports. NA panel to probe Rs300bn sugar windfall He briefed the panel that in the 2024-25 crop year, sugarcane cultivation increased by 1.11% compared to 2023-24. However, due to climate change factors such as heat wave and crop disease, sugarcane yield and sucrose recovery declined. Consequently, sugar production fell to 5.862 million metric tons (MMT), around 1 MMT less than the previous year. Adding carryover stocks of 0.5 MMT, total sugar availability for 2024-25 was estimated at 6.362 MMT, roughly equal to domestic consumption in 2023-24. 'This tight balance between supply and demand led to price increases by the industry from January 2024 onward, following the exports,' he added. The committee, led by the Deputy Prime Minister, held several meetings with key stakeholders including the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), emphasizing price stability. They agreed to cap the ex-mill price at Rs 159/kg and the retail price at Rs 164/kg for one month, until April 19, 2025. 'In May 2025, the committee extended the status quo until June 15, 2025. However, PSMA did not comply and continued to raise prices,' he added. The Ministry of Industries summoned sugar millers, warning them that their actions were unacceptable, but the mills disregarded the ministry's warnings. A track-and-trace system was installed on sugar stocks in November 2021, whereby every sugar sack is stamped with a scanable mark revealing its details, according to FBR officials. However, some sugar bags were released without stamps, allegedly involving officials deputed at the mills. So far, the FBR has seized several trucks carrying unstamped sacks. Sales tax on sugar is deducted at 18% GST rate, amounting to Rs 1,485 per 50 kg sugar bag. Fourteen FBR officials have been suspended, and the Prime Minister has formed a special team including intelligence officials to monitor FBR operations. Sales tax collection from sugar has increased to Rs 100 billion from Rs 65 billion last year, despite a reduction of 1 MMT in sugar production. 'We might not even need to import sugar. The current stock is sufficient until November 15, 2025,' said the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production. It is estimated that only 200,000 tons of sugar may be imported, if any. Notably, 70% of sugar consumption is by industries, not the common man. Officials from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research stated that sugar imports are planned to prevent price hikes and avoid artificial shortages amid concerns about price could rise further in November 2025. After detailed discussions, the panel decided to summon SECP officials to obtain a list of sugar mill directors holding at least 20% shares, which will be shared with the media to reveal any political affiliations. The committee also resolved to review the Public Accounts Committee minutes where the Auditor General of Pakistan claimed sugar millers earned Rs 300 billion in profits within three weeks. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business Recorder
CM Maryam vows to safeguard rights of minorities
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that Quaid-e-Azam's Pakistan is the homeland of all & sundry and everyone is safe and free in it with their faith. She highlighted, 'We pay tribute to all our minority brothers and sisters who always remain active for the development and prosperity of their beloved homeland.' In her message on the National Minorities Day, the CM said that minorities are the symbol of pride of a Pakistani society. She maintained, 'There will be no compromise on the honour, dignity, protection and progress of minorities. The Punjab government is strictly adhering to its policy of granting minorities complete rights for their education, development and welfare.' She noted, 'For the first time in the history, Punjab has achieved the distinction and honour of introducing 'Minority Card' for the welfare of the minority community. Upto 50,000 minority brothers and sisters are being given Rs. 10,500 quarterly through minority cards. The number of minority cards will be increased to 75,000.' She affirmed, 'Punjab attained the honour of passing the first Sikh Marriage Act 2024, now 'Anand Karj' has been given legal status. The pending Hindu Marriage Act 2017 has been approved in 2025. The Punjab government is taking numerous steps so as to make it possible for the minority community residing in Punjab to have easy access to education, health and employment.' The CM revealed, 'In the current financial year, Rs 8 billion have been allocated for the development and non-development budget of the minority community. Grants for religious festivals of the minority community have been enhanced from Rs 60 million to Rs 366 million. A substantial amount has been allocated in the current budget for the restoration of 40 historical gurdwaras, 25 churches and five temples.' She added, 'The Samadhi Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Lahore, the Shri Krishna Temple in Rawalpindi and the Church of Pakistan are being rehabilitated and restored. Scholarship funds worth Rs 60 million were allocated for the minority students.' The CM outlined, 'Live courses have been launched in Youhanabad, in the first phase out of which 1,000 students will benefit, and in the second phase 10,000 students will benefit from it. Baisakhi, Holi, Diwali, Christmas and Easter were celebrated in Punjab for the first time at the official level. The minority quota system is being implemented in letter & spirit in the province.' She vowed, 'The Punjab government is the guardian of the rights of minorities and is fully committed to grant them their rightful share in every field of development and progress. We are moving towards a society where love, tolerance and brotherhood will be our hallmark and sole identity. Minorities are the beautiful colour of Pakistan and we will never let this colour fade away.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Large tract of land linked to POs in ‘Al-Qadir Trust case' auctioned
ISLAMABAD: The authorities on Monday auctioned a large tract of land in the capital linked to proclaimed offenders (POs) in the high-profile Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, which names former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife among the accused. However, officials denied reports that Imran Khan's personal residence in Bani Gala was part of the sale, stating that the former prime minister and his wife are not POs. A total of 405 kanals– approximately 50 acres – of agricultural land in Islamabad's Moza Mohra Noor area was auctioned at a price of Rs3.42 million per kanal, in a court-ordered move overseen by the local administration and an auction committee. The auction follows the January court declaration of six individuals, including Farhat Shehzadi alias Farah Gogi, Zulfi Bukhari, and Mirza Shehzad Akbar, as proclaimed offenders (POs) in connection with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference – commonly known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. Two other properties – a 16-kanal plot on Islamabad's Club Road and an additional 248-kanal tract of agricultural land – were also listed for auction but received no bids. Assistant Commissioner Secretariat Uzair Ali Khan supervised the process, though the auction committee arrived over six hours late. Prior public notices had been issued, inviting bidders to submit a Rs5 million pay order in the name of the NAB chairman to participate. Reacting to reports circulating on social media that Imran Khan's personal residence was under auction, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja dismissed them as inaccurate. 'The Bani Gala residence is not part of any auction. Monday's notice pertains only to properties owned by absconding co-accused in the NAB reference,' he posted on X, adding that PTI's legal team is actively monitoring the situation. A NAB spokesperson confirmed that the properties being auctioned are linked to fugitives and not to Imran Khan himself. 'There are no court orders for the auction of Imran Khan's assets. The £190 million case does not include any of his properties,' the official said. The Al-Qadir Trust case relates to allegations that Imran Khan and his associates misused authority in the handling of £190 million repatriated from the UK during his tenure. Khan, who remains imprisoned, denies all charges and has described the cases against him as politically motivated. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025