PSMA to respond to allegations

Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) is all set to submit para-wise reply to the allegations of inquiry committee on sugar headed by Wajid Zia, Director General FIA.

Informed sources told Business Recorder that a fight between the government and the PSMA, which is actually being informally led by Jahangir Khan Tareen, a senior Pakistan Tahreek -i- Insaaf (PTI) member, will also challenge the Inquiry Commission's forensic audit report expected to be unveiled on April 26, 2020.

FIA has also sent notices to around 260 individuals across the country to get information of "wrongdoings" of sugar millers and accounts of 192 people are being investigated through banks.

Senior leader Jahangir Tareen has questioned the criteria behind the audit of sugar mills and the selection process of the committee formed to probe the matter. "I have no objection whatsoever over the forensic audit of my mills as I have nothing to hide. However, the Commission or whoever took this decision needs to be asked why only a bunch of targeted mills is being audited," he said.

Tareen also questioned the criteria used to select 9 mills for the forensic audit, adding that does the Commission believe that by doing a forensic audit of 9 sugar mills only, they can get a complete picture of the total sugar industry of Pakistan which consist of 80 sugar mills."

Government circles monitoring the Inquiry Commission, at present interviewing officials in Islamabad, want such a strong report so that the case may be handed over to NAB followed by arrests of those whose names would be mentioned.

On the other hand, those who are facing a tough time, will challenge the Commission's report in court and get a stay order.

"I think the government will be unable to achieve its target and will face embarrassment and ultimately fall," said one of the insiders in the Association.