ISLAMABAD – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has taken emergency action, summoning complete records of sugar mill owners and exporters amid skyrocketing prices across Pakistan. During a heated session chaired by MNA Junaid Akbar, lawmakers revealed alarming price disparities—with sugar selling at Rs210/kg in Karachi and Rs215/kg in Haripur against the national average of Rs173/kg.
The committee lambasted the Secretary for Food Security for presenting flawed data while uncovering what members called a “decade-long sugar scam.” Ministry of Industries figures showed 5.09 million tons approved for export since 2014, but only 3.927 million tons were shipped, earning $400 million. Lawmakers Riaz Fatyana and Senator Fauzia Arshad alleged a Rs287 billion fraud through manipulated shortages and price hikes.
PAC Chairman Akbar grilled officials over export subsidies to mill owners and last-minute tax exemption orders. MNA Moeen Pirzada escalated the accusations, declaring the “sugar mafia” part of the government and blaming the Sugar Advisory Board for systemic corruption. When ministries resisted naming mill owners, the PAC issued an ultimatum: disclose ownership details immediately or face a privilege motion.
Officials confirmed last year’s production surplus of 1.3 million metric tons, with 790,000 tons exported in phases when local prices stood at Rs143/kg. With current prices up 21%, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tasked Deputy PM Ishaq Dar with leading a high-level probe. The crisis exposes deep flaws in Pakistan’s sugar governance, where export incentives appear to have prioritized trader profits over public affordability.
