ISLAMABAD (The COW News Digital) The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has demanded a complete record of sugar mill owners and sugar exporters following alarming price hikes across the country.
During a session chaired by PAC Chairman Junaid Akbar, committee members including Umar Ayub, Riaz Fatyana, and Senator Fauzia Arshad expressed grave concern over the spiraling cost of sugar. The committee was informed that sugar prices have soared to PKR 210 per kilogram in Karachi and up to PKR 215 in Haripur, with a nationwide average of PKR 173.
The committee lashed out at the Secretary of Food Security and Research for presenting inaccurate statistics. The Ministry of Industries and Production revealed that while the government approved the export of 5.09 million tons of sugar over the past decade, only 3.927 million tons were actually exported, generating over $400 million in foreign exchange.
Despite this, committee members criticized the inconsistent policies that have resulted in either large-scale exports or emergency imports. Riaz Fatyana and Senator Fauzia Arshad alleged that the nation was defrauded of PKR 287 billion through manipulated pricing and artificial shortages, accusing the sugar industry of hoarding and price gouging.
Junaid Akbar questioned why sugar mill owners were granted export subsidies and why sudden tax exemptions were issued via SROs (Statutory Regulatory Orders). Prominent member Moeed Pirzada directly accused top government officials, including the president and prime minister, of profiteering at the public’s expense. He labeled the Sugar Advisory Board as the root of the crisis and alleged that the “sugar mafia” is deeply embedded in government structures.
When asked to provide the names of mill owners, the government hesitated. The committee demanded not just the names of the sugar mills, but also detailed information about their owners and directors. Junaid Akbar warned that failure to submit this list promptly could result in a privilege motion against the Ministry.
The Ministry of Industries reported that sugar production in the previous year was 7.66 million metric tons, with a surplus of 1.3 million metric tons. Of this, 500,000 tons were reserved for next year, while 790,000 tons were cleared for export in three phases by the federal cabinet and the ECC.
The PAC emphasized the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the sugar sector to protect consumers from unjustified price hikes.
