The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Friday said federal government should not
come under the pressure of the sugar lobby and save country from another crisis.
The government should saved the country from a new sugar crisis by not allowing the
export of sugar as it would have resulted in shortage and scarcity would have doubled the
prices in the open market, it said.
Now the sugar mafia will adopt the tactic of not paying the farmers affected by floods,
against which strict action will be taken, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President of PEW.
He said that the people and farmers are always exploited by the influential sugar mafia
and new scandal comes to light after a year or two.
Dr Murtaza Mugjal said that some influential personalities first exported sugar during the
PTI regime and after a shortage in the country re-imported it and made billions in the
process. This resulted in almost hundred percent hike in the price of sugar which jumped from
Rs50 per kg to Rs95 per kg and now it is being sold at Rs100 per kg in the open market.
Despite efforts, the price of sugar could not be reduced and the masses are still paying
double the price, he said.
Following the public outrage, the PTI’s central leadership formed an investigation
commission but no concrete action was taken against the influential responsible for the
plunder.
The sugar business has attracted a lot of politicians and other influential which is a reason
behind frequent loot, he observed.
Dr. Mughal said that now the sugar mill owners are again claiming that the country has
12 lakh tonnes of surplus sugar which should be allowed to be exported.
However, if sugar export was allowed, another sugar crisis will arise in the country and
the price of sugar may reach Rs 200 per kg.
He said that 220 million people cannot be exploited for the undue benefit of a few sugar
mill owners.
Currently, the mill owners are assuring the government that there will be no crisis in the
country, but such assurances have also been proven wrong.
Meanwhile, the Sugar Mills Association has also demanded to increase in the official
price of sugar from 85 rupees to 110 rupees per kg which should be rejected immediately.
The government should prioritize the interest of the people over the mill owners and
ensure that sugar does not become more expensive, he said.
