LAHORE: Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) members have expressed concerns over the futile meetings with the federal and provincial governments on the issue of not fixing the price of sugar and let the industry run on competition basis.

In a statement issued here Thursday, a PSMA spokesman said there was no solid outcome came out of those meetings and promises made by the government. He said the government had also promised to run the sugar industry on competition basis but now again the topic of fixing the price of sugar has become talk of the town. Neither the government has eliminated the middle-men of sugarcane nor did it ensure availability of crop on the government-fixed rate of Rs 225 per maund.

Moreover, there is no development witnessed on the cases of FIA and Competition Commission of Pakistan against the sugar industry. FBR had also imposed hefty fines on the tax returns of last five years but no progress has been made to quash these fines despite promises.

These measures are creating continuous problems for the sugar industry. Though the government promised to resolve these issues but no positive outcome has come out of it so far. During the meeting, all members belonging to PSMA Islamabad requested the government to resolve these problems forthwith in order to save the country’s sugar industry because the survival of sugar industry is essential for country’s agriculture and farmers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022