Action taken against those involved in artificial price hike of sugar

ISLAMABAD   -  Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Interior and Accountability Shahzad Akbar said Saturday that strict action will be taken against those involved in sugar crisis and price hike through speculation.

While addressing a press conference here, he said that action taken against those involved in the Sugar Scam on recommendations of the Sugar Commission Report was transparent and the government has not provided protection to anyone.

The Special Assistant said three FIRs were registered on the findings of the Sugar Commission Report. 

He said that there were reports that the sugar prices would be increased in the Holy Month of Ramadan, on which the action was taken against those who were involved in the artificial price hike of sugar through speculation. 

Shahzad Akbar said that in order to check the artificial price hike of sugar through speculation ex-mill price of Sugar has been fixed at 80 rupees per kilogram in Punjab. 

Sugar inquiry commission report was presented to the federal government in May 2020 and at that time three types of actions were taken namely, penal action, administrative action and legislative reforms. He said that the journey from May 2020 till now was not an easy task.

He said that FBR was asked to launch forensic audit of the sugar companies. The revenue generation from the Sugar Industry has shown a 100 percent increase due to the actions. FBR found out the embezzlement of taxes in sugar industry worth 400 billion rupees in five years and took action against the sugar embezzlements in Punjab and Sindh. 

He said that the Sugar Commission Report was challenged in the courts but the courts upheld the Sugar Commission report and asked the government to take the action.  Sugar Commission report recommended investigation against nine major companies. He said that it is the responsibility of the government to check the price hike and the government has enacted law Punjab Prevention Speculation in Essential Commodities Ordinance 2021, whereas Punjab Food Stock Control Act 1958 was already present but it was not being implemented in letter and spirit.  

He pointed out that 392 Benami accounts were dig out in Sugar Commission report and through these Accounts, 667 billion rupees transaction were traced and all these Accounts have been frozen.

SAPM Shahzad Akbar said that Jahangir Tareen had expressed his concerns that he was being targeted however, these is no such thing. He said FIA is taking action in accordance with Sugar Commission findings and no one is being targeted or protected. Prime minister has very explicit stance on trade with India, said SAPM Shahzad Akbar. He also added that Bilawal should reply to the show-cause notice of Maulana Fazlur Rehman.