Staff Report
ISLAMABAD:
Amid public outrage over soaring sugar prices, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has launched a scathing critique of the government’s sugar export policies, accusing authorities of playing a decade-long “export-import drama” that cost the nation hundreds of billions.
The PAC, chaired by Junaid Akbar, expressed anger over the absence of transparency in sugar trade practices and ordered the immediate submission of records identifying sugar mill owners and directors involved in exports. Despite repeated demands, officials failed to share the names, prompting threats of a privilege motion against the Ministry of Industries and Production.
The committee was informed that while the federal government had approved the export of 5.09 million tonnes of sugar over the past ten years, only 3.927 million tonnes were actually shipped. In return, the country reportedly earned $400 million in foreign exchange, but members were unconvinced this justifies the domestic turmoil.
In Karachi, sugar prices have reached Rs210 per kg, with Haripur recording a spike up to Rs215 per kg, while the national average now stands at Rs173. PAC members slammed government inaction and blamed flawed policies for sugar hoarding and artificial scarcity.
Lawmakers including Riaz Fatyana and Senator Fauzia Arshad estimated that Rs287 billion in losses were inflicted on consumers through inflated prices and questioned the rationale for granting overnight tax exemptions and subsidies to mill owners.
The committee questioned why sugar was allowed to be exported when local prices were already climbing. The Ministry of Industries claimed the domestic price was Rs143 per kg at the time of export and that ample stock remains available until November.
Moeen Pirzada, another PAC member, made serious allegations, saying “the president and prime minister are filling their pockets by robbing the people”, and called the Sugar Advisory Board the epicenter of policy capture by the sugar mafia.
While officials claimed that 500,000 tons of sugar have been reserved for the next season and 790,000 tons were exported under Cabinet and ECC approvals, the committee remained skeptical and demanded greater accountability.
The PAC concluded with a warning: If detailed records of mill owners and export beneficiaries are not provided promptly, formal parliamentary action will follow.
