Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has appreciated friendly approach of the Chairman CBR towards the problems being faced by the sugar industry on taxation. In a press statement, Chairman Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf has expressed satisfaction over the outcome of recent meeting of sugar millers with the Chairman CBR in which tax-related issues of the sugar industry were discussed in detail.
Chairman PSMA said the issue of low sugar production was taken up in the meeting and the PSMA delegation apprised the Chairman CBR that the increasing trend of Gur making in the country was also one of the major causes behind low production.
About 4000 tons of sugarcane on average is being crushed in each sugar mill area for Gur making which has drastically affected the sugar production estimates, he said. Besides, a large number of commercial Gur traders have flooded into Pakistan from Afghanistan and northern areas and have installed heavy machines for Gur making. These traders are dispatching Gur to Afghanistan as well as other Central Asian States where it is excessively used in the alcohol manufacturing.
Chairman CBR responded positively and directed his officials to check the illegal channels, which are causing millions of rupee loss to the national exchequer.