Latest news with #PAC
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Surge in sugar prices: PAC seeks records of all sugar mill owners, exporters again
ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has sought records of all sugar mill owners and exporters again, aiming to investigate the underlying causes of the nationwide surge in sugar prices. Junaid Akbar chaired the meeting of the PAC. The members committee showed serious concerns over the sudden raise in sugar prices as the commodity is being sold at Rs 210 per kg in Karachi and Rs 215 in Haripur, while the average price is at Rs 173 per kg nationwide. New official sugar prices notified for Karachi The officials of the Ministry of Industries hesitated to disclose the sugar mill owners, forced the chairman committee to issue directives for submission of names and directorship of sugar mills. The PAC chairman warned that a privilege motion would be moved in case the list was not submitted shortly. The secretary for Food Security also faced strong criticism for allegedly presenting inaccurate data of sugar production, export and prices. According to the data provided by the Ministry of Industries, 5.09 million tons of sugar approved for export in last 10 years but only 3.927 million tons were actually exported, earning over $400 million in foreign exchange. Officials stated that Pakistan produced 7.66 million metric tons of sugar last year, with 1.3 million metric tons in surplus. Of that, 500,000 tons were reserved for the next year, while the government approved the export of 790,000 tons in three phases. At the time of export, the local market price of sugar was Rs143 per kg, which has now jumped to Rs 173. The lawmakers criticised the ongoing cycle of sugar export and import, calling it a decade-long deception. Members committee Riaz Fatyana and Muhammad Arshad alleged that the nation was defrauded of Rs 287 billion due to the manipulated price hike and artificial shortages. Junaid asked the officials why sugar mills were awarded export subsidies and the reason behind the sudden issuance of SROs granting tax exemptions. Moin Pirzada accused the government of looting the nation and blamed the Sugar Advisory Board for corruption, calling the sugar mafia an integral part of the government. The committee was apprised that the prime minister formed a committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to probe the matter. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
6 arrested on kanwariya's complaint of attack
Varanasi: Police arrested six persons accused of attacking a saffron-clad kanwariya after an FIR was lodged on his complaint on Monday night. The kanwariya was allegedly assaulted by a shoe trader and his companions while the pilgrim was chanting 'Bol Bam' slogans while passing through the area. This led to a violent clash between locals and kanwariyas in Rajatalab area on Varanasi-Prayagraj highway tense. DCP Gomati Zone Akash Patel said on Tuesday that FIR was lodged against six persons on complaint of the injured kanwariya. The alleged attackers, Noor Hasan, Sharafat Ali, Mohammad Latif, Munawwar and Alauddin from different localities under the Rajatalab police station area and Salamuddin of Mehandiganj, were arrested. He added that further investigation was in progress, while police and PAC were deployed to maintain law and order, especially on the kanwariya route. On the third Monday of Shrawan, villagers from Jansa, Rameshwar and Harsos areas were carrying out Kanwar processions. While returning from Adalpura Sheetla Dham towards their village, two kanwariyas, Paltu Yadav and Shubham Yadav of Jansa, were passing through Panchkroshi Road in Rajatalab area. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo They alleged that at Rajatalab railway crossing, a group of masked persons stopped them and forbade them from chanting 'Bol Bam'. When they protested, they were abused and beaten with sticks and sharp weapons. Shubham's head was injured and Paltu sustained injuries too. The assailants allegedly dragged them into a house near the shoe shop and beat them up. Both Kanwariyas escaped and informed their companions about the incident. In the meantime, a video of the beating also went viral, sparking anger among kanwariyas and villagers. They blocked the Jansa-Rajatalab road in protest and also indulged in vandalism and brick-batting. Police used mild force to disperse the gathering. After pacifying the situation, police lodged FIR and started arresting the assailants.
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
YSRCP to launch App for reporting ‘harassment and injustice by officials'
The YSRCP is preparing to launch a mobile application next week that is designed to document and report 'instances of harassment and injustice by the officials.' Disclosing this at the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting on Tuesday, YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said the app would be useful to lodge complaints against the officials who 'harass or mistreat' people or party workers. 'People can submit detailed accounts of the incidents, along with any supporting evidence, such as photos or documents. They will be securely stored in a digital library server,' he said, adding, 'The moment our government comes to power, we will open this digital library and ensure that those responsible are held accountable under the law. Those responsible will be brought to justice with interest. No one will be spared.' Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the NDA dispensation was engaged in 'deception and vengeance.' The Naidu-led government misused State machinery to target YSRCP leaders through false cases and arrests. The arrests of MP Midhun Reddy, Nandigam Suresh, Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and Kakani Govardhan Reddy were politically motivated, he alleged. Allegations against police 'A few police officials, including DIGs, DSPs, and CIs, are involved in organised crime, extortion, and illegal liquor auctions, with kickbacks allegedly flowing to the MLAs and even the Chief Minister's family,' Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged. He called upon the leaders to shed complacency and take the lead in revitalising the party's organisational framework. 'Our honeymoon period is over. If we don't act now, we risk losing touch with the people,' he said, adding the party must prepare for elections at any time, and build a strong structure that would ensure YSRCP's continuity for the next 30 to 40 years. He directed that party committees be immediately set up at the village and booth levels. He highlighted the success of the party's campaign titled 'Recalling Chandrababu's Manifesto – Babu Surety, Fraud Guarantee'.
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
NYC Investor Seeks $25,000 Donors for an Anti-Mamdani Effort
Activist investor Ricky Sandler and real estate executive Marty Burger are calling donors to commit at least $25,000 to an effort opposing Zohran Mamdani's run for mayor of New York City. Eminence Capital 's Sandler and Burger, the former chief executive of Silverstein Properties, invited such potential donors to a call Monday with 'New Yorkers for a Better Future Mayor 25' — a new PAC dedicated to stopping candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, like Mamdani.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Auditor-General's Report exposes entrenched weaknesses in public sector governance, says Lam Thye
KUALA LUMPUR: Urgent and decisive actions are needed in response to the latest Auditor-General's Report, which once again exposes entrenched weaknesses in public sector governance, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. The social activist said the recurring issues of financial mismanagement, procurement irregularities, and non-compliance with procedures revealed a "troubling culture of negligence and impunity" within certain government agencies. 'The same systemic failures keep surfacing year after year, and yet we continue to see a lack of accountability. "These are not just technical lapses. They point to deeper problems in the way public resources are handled," he said when contacted on Saturday (July 26). The Auditor-General's Report, tabled in Parliament earlier this week, outlined multiple instances of overpayments, delays in project implementation, and procurement without proper documentation — findings that have become all too familiar to the Malaysian public. Lee criticised the apparent lack of transparency and integrity among some officials, stressing that the government must move beyond merely acknowledging the report's findings and instead act firmly to rectify the problem. He said civil servants found guilty of misconduct or serious breaches should face swift disciplinary action or be prosecuted. "Without real consequences, we will never see deterrence," he added. He also called for internal audit units to be made independent and empowered to conduct real-time monitoring rather than just post-mortem audits. "A publicly accessible online dashboard should be introduced to track government procurement and project implementation. 'Let the public hold officials accountable," he said. Lee said high-risk departments must undergo regular integrity checks to identify and prevent corruption early. "The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should be given broader powers, including the ability to summon not just civil servants but ministers if necessary. 'It is unacceptable that while taxpayers are fulfilling their obligations, those entrusted with managing public funds continue to act carelessly or worse, dishonestly," he said. He added that Parliament must play a more active role in enforcing accountability, rather than merely observing proceedings.
