Sugar export scheme: PTI for formation of high-powered JV
The scheme reportedly resulted in approximately Rs300 billion in unlawful profits to politically connected elites.
The demand followed revelations presented to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which PTI said exposed a well-orchestrated scheme of plunder carried out by members of the ruling coalition and shielded by state institutions.
In a statement, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram called for a transparent and comprehensive enquiry into the scandal. He named Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, his deputy Ishaq Dar, members of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), and the Federal Cabinet as those who should be investigated for their alleged roles in approving and executing the controversial sugar export policy.
PTI characterised the crisis not as mismanagement, but as 'a premeditated economic crime.' It alleged that sugar was exported despite domestic shortages, then re-imported at higher prices. This, the party claimed, artificially inflated costs for consumers and profited a select few.
According to PTI, the policy was led by Dar during his tenure as chair of both the Sugar Advisory Board and the ECC. Akram said these approvals, which later received Cabinet assent, created a 'chain of command' linking senior government officials to the financial losses.
The PAC's report, cited by PTI, estimates the national loss at Rs287 billion and points to nearly Rs300 billion in illicit gains allegedly pocketed by politically connected families and business interests. Among those named are the Sharif family, President Asif Zardari and his associates, Suleman Shehbaz, and businessman Jahangir Tareen.
PTI also accused the ruling elite of misleading the public by downplaying shortages, inflating prices, and manipulating trade to generate windfall profits. The party claimed that state institutions – including the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) – had remained silent spectators.
The statement contrasted the current situation with former Prime Minister Imran Khan's tenure, when a Sugar Enquiry Commission was formed in 2020 to investigate similar profiteering. 'Back then, the report named culprits across party lines,' the spokesperson noted. 'Today, those same networks are in power.'
The party also questioned the fairness of the accountability system, claiming that legal scrutiny disproportionately targets Imran Khan while 'real plunderers of public wealth' operate with impunity.
PTI has called for sugar prices to be rolled back to 2022 levels as an emergency relief measure. It also urged the PAC to demand updates from the FIA on all pending sugar-related cases and called for criminal proceedings against those involved in alleged fake exports and hoarding.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Govt mulls federal constitutional court
Listen to article Since the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment in October last year, the PML-N led federal government has remained largely successful in getting its way in courts. The most significant event is the award of convictions to 204 individuals — belonging to the PTI — in May 9 rioting cases. Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has played a key role in expeditious trials in May 9 cases. In April, a bench led by him gave four months' deadline to anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) to complete the trials. Similarly, the Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench, which was formed by virtue of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, has also endorsed the trials of 103 May 9 rioters by military courts. Majority of convicts including PTI founder Imran Khan's nephew are behind the bar, waiting for passage of a proposed legislation for getting the right of appeal against their convictions by military courts. Despite the completion of a 45-day deadline, the government has not taken any step to give the right of appeal against military courts' decisions. The constitutional bench is also not sitting due to summer vacations. Three detailed judgements in crucial cases — related reserved seats, transfer of judges to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and military courts — are awaited. On the other hand, the government is waiting for an appropriate time to bring the 27th Constitutional Amendment. A senior government functionary admitted that the creation of a federal constitutional court is under serious consideration. Judiciary role since May 9, 2023 The judiciary's role has been vital amid the ongoing confrontation between the security establishment and the PTI, a confrontation that started after the ouster of the PTI government in April 2022. However, the establishment got disappointed, when a bench led by ex-chief justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial took up a matter related to the arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan on May 9, 2023 and directed the law enforcement agencies to present him in the court. Subsequently, the court gave relief to Imran which further upset the executive functionaries. Ex-CJP Bandial was keen to hold general elections of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies within the 90-day period but he could not do so due to various reasons. The former PML-N led government had issued notification regarding the appointment of Justice Qazi Faez Isa as the next CJP months before the retirement of Justice Bandial. After his taking charge of the SC, Justice Isa did not disappoint the present government in any important matter. Ex-CJP Isa did not take notice of the allegations of human rights violation as well as election rigging. During his term, judgment declaring civilian trials in military courts as unconstitutional was suspended, the PTI was deprived of its election symbol ahead of the February 8 election, the party's female workers and leaders could not get bail and Imran was convicted in three cases during his jail trials. Despite all these happenings, the February 8 election results were shocking for anti-PTI elements. Ex-CJP Isa was considered a "guarantor of system" which was formed after the elections. When some judges raised concerns about agencies' interference in judicial functions, Justice Isa did not back them. Lawyers believe that Justice Isa's biggest step to facilitate the executive was the elevation of ex-Lahore High Court chief justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan to the apex court. The present government was very uncomfortable with Justice Khan on account of his bold steps to ensure fairness in litigations related to election disputes and the May 9 cases. Ex-LHC CJ was the biggest hurdle in the manipulation of trials in the May 9 matters. Soon after his elevation to the SC, different ATCs judges were transferred to the satisfaction of the executive. After six IHC judges wrote a letter to Justice Isa in March last year, the executive started working on a plan to control the superior judiciary. One section of judges had made an attempt to secure the independence of judiciary by giving July 12, 2024 decision in the reserved seats case but they could not succeed. Post 26th amendment judiciary Instead of getting united for the independence of the institution, SC judges are visibly divided into two camps. The beneficiaries of constitutional amendment in the judiciary did not disappoint the present government in any issue. The executive is completely comfortable with all high courts as well as the apex court. Majority of dissenting judges have been sidelined and not included in the constitutional bench. Even the judges who were not in the good books of the executive have been sidelined in the IHC. The government's plan has also been successful in the IHC wherein they transferred three judges from other high courts. Subsequently, Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar became the IHC CJ as per the government's plan. It is being witnessed that the executive has total dominance in the process of superior courts judges' appointment after 26th Constitutional Amendment. Post 26th amendment, the PTI could not get any substantive relief in any matter. Now questions are being raised about convictions in May 9 cases. It is learnt that two senior PTI leaders recently met CJP Yahya Afridi to express apprehensions over non adherence of Article 10-A of the Constitution during the trials. There is a strong perception that "excessive and unjustified" sentences are awarded to the majority of PTI activists and lawmakers. Now all eyes are now on the LHC, which will hear the appeals against the convictions. Generally, convicts have to surrender to court before filing appeals against their convictions. One of PTI legal team members revealed that they are considering alternate strategies to plead the case against convictions. Despite passage of several months, Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi's petitions for the suspension of sentences in the 190 million pounds case have not been decided by the IHC. It will be interesting to see which LHC bench is assigned the task to hear appeals against convictions. Lawyers fear that if the situation remains the same and the convictions are awarded without adherence to due process then people will lose complete trust in the judiciary and the ultimate loser will be the justice system. The judges, who are on the driving seat in the superior judiciary, must evolve a mechanism to end the perception that post 26 amendment judiciary is working under executive influence.
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
ExxonMobil likely to come back for offshore venture
Listen to article As Pakistan is celebrating US President Donald Trump's announcement of joint development of Pakistan's oil reserves, Washington has not signalled whether its energy giant ExxonMobil will make a comeback to participate in bidding for offshore oil and gas fields. Though Pakistan and the US have a long history of relationship, American oil and gas companies have not remained very active here. Pakistan's two provinces – Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan— are rich in oil and gas deposits, however, security challenges have hindered progress on potential projects. Distrust between Pakistan and the US still prevails as conspiracy theories suggest that offshore fields in Karachi seawaters have significant hydrocarbon reserves. Many people believe that Pakistan did not allow ExxonMobil to go further beyond in sea for offshore exploration during the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Reports indicate that the US company sought access to an additional area in Kekra field to assess prospects of finding oil and gas but Pakistan expressed hesitation. Now, the US president has struck a new agreement for oil and gas field development in Pakistan. It comes at a time when Islamabad is inviting foreign companies to submit bids for offshore fields, which will open on September 30. Background discussions with officials revealed that the US had scores of private energy companies, but there were no signals which one would take part in field development. Pakistan expects ExxonMobil to come back for a new offshore exploration venture. However, Pakistani officials point out that Trump's announcement is just a commitment that US energy companies will come to Pakistan. "It will be clear in the coming days when the two countries will start official-level talks by including energy companies to look for opportunities of joint ventures," remarked an official. This is encouraging news as the US has been inclined towards India in the past. Even Indian oil and gas companies had formed joint ventures with US firms. Earlier, Washington even refused to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Pakistan and showed interest in dealing with Delhi. At that time, a US embassy official told media that Indian companies had entered into joint ventures with US firms; therefore, the doors for LNG trade were open for India, not Pakistan. Of late, the US president has hinted at American companies' investment in Pakistan's mineral sector. US Exim Bank is one of the financiers interested in pumping capital into the Reko Diq copper and gold mining project. US companies are also keen to forge joint ventures with Pakistani firms in the mineral sector, which has estimated potential worth $8 trillion. Experts call it a new opening in bilateral relationship between Pakistan and US that will clear the way for notable investment.
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Imran says no to military op in K-P
PTI founder Imran Khan said in a "clear message" to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday that the federation should not be allowed to conduct another military operation in the province and its tribal areas. In a message from Imran posted on Saturday on his X account, which is not operated by him, the ex-premier said regarding any operation in KP: "I convey a clear message to Ali Amin that the federation must not be allowed to conduct another military operation in KP and the tribal areas. "Confrontation between the army and the people destroys the institution of the army. Operations are not a solution to any problem. Issues should be resolved through dialogue in accordance with the system there. Afghanistan is our Muslim neighbouring country. Relations with them should also be improved, and issues should be addressed through discussions." Responding to the party founder's instruction from his personal account, Gandapur said that keeping in mind Imran's thinking, he had hosted today the first of several jirgas on restoring law and order in the province. Toshakhana II case Incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan has confirmed that he has been allowed to talk to his sons, who live in London and that he has been also provided newspapers in his prison cell at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail where he is detained since September 2023. Imran told this to Special Judge (Central) Shahrukh Arjumand on Saturday during the hearing of the Toshakhana II case in a courtroom inside the famous prison in the garrison city. The PTI founder stated that jail authorities allowed him to talk to Kasim and Sulaiman over phone for more than an hour. He confirmed that his television set in the prison cell was working and that he was also getting daily newspapers. During the hearing of the Toshakhana II case, the testimony of NAB Assistant Director Aftab Ahmed was officially recorded. Bushra Bibi's lawyer, Arshad Tabraiz, completed his cross-examination of the witness Aftab Ahmed. Imran Khan's lawyer, Qausain Mufti, will cross-examine the witness at the next hearing. The court summoned two more witnesses, Rabia and Sana, to record their statements at the next hearing and later adjourned further proceedings of the case until August 6. Bushra Bibi, who is also detained at the same prison, was also present in the courtroom. Talking to reporters, Imran said that his children would only come to Pakistan to meet him and would not participate in politics or any protest movement. Earlier, Imran's sister Aleema Khan had announced the PTI founder's sons would come to Pakistan and lead a protest against his detention. Imran's sons Aleema Khan, sister of PTI Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan, has strongly denied claims that her brother barred his sons from visiting Pakistan, saying they had applied for National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (Nicops) as well as visas to visit Pakistan. On Friday, Aleema said both Qasim and Sulaiman and were waiting for approval from the interior ministry. Responding to the comments, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry asked why they would need visas if they had the Nicop, as she had previously claimed. Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail on Saturday, she clarified that Imran's sons possess a NICOP, but it has been lost. "The Nicop of one [of the brothers] is missing and the other can't find his card so they've submitted two applications: one to issue their Nicop, which is valid for the next six to seven years and they have also applied for the visa which can be issued within an hour."
