PTI opposes sugar import move
A PTI spokesman accused the government of orchestrating the current sugar crisis to enable profiteering by powerful businessmen while ordinary citizens suffer.
The government's earlier authorisation to export 765,000 metric tons of sugar, despite claims domestic supply would remain stable, has resulted in severe shortages and price hikes from Rs140 to over Rs200 per kilogramme.
Sugar imports, exports: 'Govt's handling inflicts billions of rupees in losses'
He condemned the government's decision to import sugar duty and tax-free, estimating the cost to the national treasury at Rs72 billion, while the sugar mafia had already gained 92 billion rupees.
The PTI claimed that approximately 2.6 million metric tons of sugar are already stockpiled domestically, making imports unnecessary.
He claimed that the Finance Ministry opposed the import decision, which was made without the finance minister's consent, raising questions about who controls economic decisions.
PTI called for a judicial inquiry into the scandal, demanding transparency on profiteers, investigations into hoarding, affordable sugar supplies, and accountability for those responsible.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan offers Kabul to jointly fight terror
Listen to article Pakistan offered the Afghan interim government to jointly fight terrorist groups, which are causing unrest and instability, as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held crucial talks with Taliban authorities in a daylong visit to Kabul on Sunday. Naqvi is the latest high-ranking Pakistani minister to travel to the neighbouring country as part of a renewed push to reset ties and address the issue of cross border terrorism. The interior minister's visit came on the heels of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's trip to Kabul a few days ago. Naqvi, who was accompanied by special representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq Khan and Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, met with Afghan Interim Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqni. The talks, according to officials, focused on the issue of terrorism, border management and repatriation of Afghan refugees. But the issue of presence of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other anti-Pakistan groups in Afghanistan was on top of the agenda. Sources said that Naqvi delivered a clear message that Pakistan considers Afghanistan as its "brotherly neighbouring" country but highlighted the activities of terrorist groups as major obstacle in the bilateral ties. "Terrorist organisations are causing unrest and instability, we must jointly stop them," Naqvi was quoted as saying by his office after his meeting with the head of Haqqani Network. An interior ministry handout said the two sides discussed bilateral relations, particularly focusing on counterterrorism, cross-border infiltration, and the banned TTP. The talks were also held on effective management of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, prevention of drug trafficking, and regulating cross-border movement. The repatriation process of Afghan nationals, illegally residing in Pakistan, also came under discussion. Both interior ministers emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence, stability, and enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. They agreed to strengthen mutual collaboration to improve border management and eliminate the menace of terrorism. "Pakistan desires fraternal and long-lasting relations with Afghanistan. For decades, Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees selflessly, and the doors remain open for Afghan citizens to enter Pakistan legally," Naqvi said. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained stalled for many months before the two sides made a fresh attempt to sort out their differences. Dar's visit to Kabul in April led to greater engagement between the two neighbours. The Afghan government, according to sources, took certain steps to control the TTP. Some measures including a crackdown on Afghans, who were joining the TTP. Those steps helped build some trust between the two countries. Officials, however, cautioned that the Afghan side will have to demonstrate a lot more commitment to completely eradicate the threat emanating from the neighbouring country. Meanwhile, high-level exchanges between the two countries will continue as Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is expected to travel to Islamabad soon.
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Sugar, power and patronage
In the digital age, there's no excuse for opacity as a transparent digital dashboard that tracks sugar from mills to wholesalers to retailers would make it harder for hoarders and profiteers to operate undetected. Photo: file Listen to article Pakistan's recurring sugar crises have become a telling reflection of how entrenched elite interests continue to manipulate the economy under the guise of policy. The latest surge in sugar prices, now hitting between Rs180 and Rs210 per kilogramme despite official claims of intervention, shows just how far removed state actions are from public welfare. What is unfolding isn't simply mismanagement. It's a system that protects the powerful and punishes the public. In July 2024, the federal government announced with much fanfare that it had reached an agreement with sugar mills to sell sugar to wholesalers at Rs165 per kg. This was framed as a breakthrough deal. But within days, the mills began violating the agreed price, resuming supply at Rs175, not Rs165. Even at inflated rates, sugar remains scarce in wholesale markets. The public, meanwhile, continues to pay well over Rs200 per kg in major cities like Karachi and Lahore. This was not just a policy failure. It was the illusion of reform – an orchestrated move to deflect public outrage without touching the roots of the problem. And at the root lies one uncomfortable fact: the sugar sector is not regulated by the government. It is effectively governed by itself. The concentration of political and economic power is stark. The Sharif family, which sits at the core of the current ruling coalition, owns major sugar mills. That the same actors who draft economic policies also control production and pricing of sugar reveals a conflict of interests so blatant that it no longer shocks. This overlap turns policy into patronage, and governance into a tool for private gain. Earlier this year, the government allowed sugar exports even as domestic stocks were under pressure. Predictably, local prices soared. Then came the tax-free import of 500,000 metric tons of sugar; a move that drew criticism from the International Monetary Fund, which questioned both its timing and its lack of transparency. No one has explained who received import licences, under what conditions, or how the decision was justified while government revenues continue to bleed. What the country witnessed was a two-way windfall: profits made on the export side and further gains through duty-free imports. Also there is an issue of price collapse when the shipments arrive in November; around the time sugar mills will be buying from growers, giving them leverage to manipulate buying prices. Throughout all this, regulators have remained silent. The Competition Commission has issued no inquiry into possible cartelisation. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has not released any audits on sugar mill compliance or tax contribution. No action has been taken against mills for openly breaching their agreement with the government. When institutions with legal mandates refuse to act, the market ceases to be a marketplace. It becomes a racket. This isn't new. But it's become more brazen. The previous PTI-led government also faced sugar price hike in 2020. However, its response was markedly different. Then prime minister Imran Khan ordered a wide-ranging inquiry, involving the FIA, SECP, FBR, and other agencies. The investigation looked into hoarding, tax fraud, price manipulation, and the misuse of subsidies. Importantly, it didn't shy away from naming allies or investigating politically connected individuals within PTI itself like Jahangir Tareen. The inquiry report was published in full. While it triggered backlash, it also marked a rare moment where the state asserted its regulatory role over an entrenched industrial elite. The investigation was abandoned and charges dropped when the PTI government was removed. What we are seeing now is the opposite. Instead of confronting the sugar mafia, the current government has aligned itself with it. Instead of enforcing transparency, it has shielded its members from scrutiny. At every step, decisions have served the interests of the few at the expense of many. This has real human costs. Sugar is not just a luxury good. It is a daily essential for households and a critical input for small businesses. Rising sugar prices drive up food inflation, burden already stretched family budgets, and hurt bakeries, tea stalls, and street vendors across the country. When a government facilitates price spiral through weak enforcement and preferential trade decisions, it doesn't just fail the economy. It abandons its moral claim to serve the people. To fix this, Pakistan must first acknowledge that the sugar crisis is not a temporary market blip. It is a symptom of a deeper structural disease: the collusion between political elites and monopolistic interests. The solution begins with cutting these links. Public officeholders, and their immediate families, must be barred from owning or profiting from industries they are in a position to regulate. This principle is basic in any functioning democracy. Without it, policy becomes an instrument of personal enrichment, not public service. Next, regulatory institutions must be depoliticised and empowered. Agencies like the CCP, FBR, and SECP should have independent boards, professional leadership, and the authority to publish findings without seeking ministerial approval. If sugar mills are in violation of tax laws or pricing agreements, the public has a right to know. Trade policy must also be demystified. Export and import decisions, especially for essentials like sugar, should not be made behind closed doors. They must be based on evidence, presented in parliament, and subjected to public scrutiny. Import licences should be granted through open bidding, and their recipients disclosed proactively. In the digital age, there's no excuse for opacity. A transparent digital dashboard that tracks sugar from mills to wholesalers to retailers would make it harder for hoarders and profiteers to operate undetected. It would also empower consumers and watchdog groups with real-time data. Finally, subsidies and tax exemptions must be subjected to rigorous review. No tax waiver or import concession should be granted without a clear, documented public interest rationale. Otherwise, they will continue to be used as vehicles for elite enrichment. The sugar industry has become a symbol of how deeply elite capture runs in Pakistan. But it can also become a turning point. If the state can confront the sugar mafia – not with hollow deals but with real accountability – it can begin to rebuild public trust and economic fairness. If it cannot, the crisis will return. Prices may dip briefly, but the profiteering will continue. This is not just about sugar. It is about who the system is designed to serve and who it leaves behind. The writer is a graduate of the University of British Columbia
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to boost anti-terror cooperation
KABUL: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation for effective border management and the elimination of terrorism. This understanding was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Afghan counterpart Sirajuddin Haqqani in Kabul on Sunday. The two leaders underscored the importance of peaceful coexistence, regional stability, and enhanced collaboration between both nations. Discussions centred on bilateral relations, with a particular focus on counterterrorism, cross-border infiltration, and the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. They also explored strategies for efficient management of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, curbing drug trafficking, and regulating cross-border movement. Besides, the repatriation process of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan was another key topic of discussion. Speaking on the occasion, Mohsin Naqvi stressed that terrorist organizations are fueling unrest and instability, and that both countries must work together to eliminate such threats. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to fostering fraternal and enduring relations with Afghanistan. He also highlighted Pakistan's decades-long hospitality towards millions of Afghan refugees, noting that the country's doors remain open for Afghan citizens arriving through legal channels. Earlier, upon his arrival at the Afghan Ministry of Interior, Mohsin Naqvi received a warm welcome from Sirajuddin Haqqani. The meeting was also attended by Afghanistan's Senior Deputy Interior Minister Ibrahim Sardar, Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq, Federal Secretary for Interior Khurram Agha, and other high-ranking officials.
