Haroon Akhtar Assures Swift Resolution of Issues Facing Ghee and Cooking Oil Industry

KARACHI: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, has
pledged prompt action to address the challenges facing Pakistan’s ghee and cooking oil sector. He said
the government is fully aware of the industry’s concerns and is committed to supporting its
sustainability. "The business community is the backbone of the national economy, and we do not intend
to burden it further," he remarked during a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan Vanaspati
Manufacturers Association (PVMA) led by its Chairman, Sheikh Umer Rehan.
The delegation also included FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, PVMA Vice Chairman Sheikh Khalid
Islam, Secretary Industries and Production Saif Anjum, along with Abdul Razzaq, Rasheed Jan
Mohammad, Muhammad Waheed Chaudhry, Sajid Ali Malik, Mian Naveed Ahmad, Ahmad Ghulam
Hussain, and Shakeel Ashfaq.
Haroon Akhtar further stated that, on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, all outstanding
dues owed to the ghee and oil manufacturers would be cleared without delay. “We are committed to
facilitating this sector through every possible means,” he said, adding that he would recommend the
removal of Section 8B of the Sales Tax Act to the Prime Minister.
While acknowledging the outstanding dues, he assured the delegation that efforts would be intensified
to expedite the disbursement of the industry’s receivables. “The Ministry of Industries and Production
stands with the business community, and resolving their issues remains a top priority,” he emphasized.
During the meeting, PVMA Chairman Sheikh Umer Rehan voiced concerns over the financial strain faced
by the ghee and cooking oil industry. He highlighted delays in bank retirement documents, which are
disrupting business operations. He appealed to the government to ease sales tax regulations for the
edible oil sector, specifically calling for immediate payment of outstanding receivables, Repeal of Section
8B of the Sales Tax Act, and Withdrawal of Section 40B of the Amended Tax Ordinance 2025.
Rehan urged the government to adopt business-friendly policies to ensure relief reaches consumers. He
stressed the critical role of the edible oil industry in Pakistan’s food security and economic framework.
“We stand by the government and hope our concerns will be addressed on a priority basis,” he
concluded.