The on-going sugar controversy, which seems beyond the control of the government, took a new turn on Thursday when a petition, demanding nationalisation of the country's sugar malls was filed in the Supreme Court. Engineer Jamil of Communist Party of Pakistan filed the petition under Article 184(3) of the Constitution making, Federal government and all the mills owner respondents in the case.
"Mill owners are committing contempt of court," the petition said. The petition maintained that sugar crisis had intensified across the country, and suggested that 80 sugar mills should be nationalised to end the crisis.
Earlier this month, while disposing of a suo moto case, the Lahore High Court (LHC) directed the Punjab government to "ensure sale of sugar at Rs 40 per kilogram to the general public without distinction in the open market, and not only in Sunday Bazaars, Ramazan Bazaars or the Utility Stores under the police guard."
The Punjab Sugar Dealers Association (PSDA) and Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) challenged the LHC decision, especially suo moto powers and authority of the court to fix prices of the commodity. The decision is still to be implemented. Pakistan Sugar Mills Association had challenged the LHC decision in the Supreme Court.
On Wednesday, the apex court made it clear to the PSMA that it had no other option, but to honour and comply with the LHC order of September 3, which had fixed the prices of sugar at Rs 40 per kilogram. The association maintained that the LHC had gone beyond its jurisdictions to fix sugar prices at Rs 40 per kilogram. On the other hand, the supply of sugar has been reduced in the market, causing problems for the people who are forced to buy sugar at inflated rates.
The negotiations between the sugar mill owners and the Punjab government also failed and the people could not get sugar at Rs 40 per kilogram as per the court orders. In the backdrop of all these events and helplessness of the government, the Communist Party has come with the suggestion of nationalisation of sugar mills to overcome the crisis.