ISLAMABAD: In an effort to crackdown on ‘sugar mafia’ ahead of the sugar crushing season, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday ordered strict action against sugar mill owners and dealers along with CCTV surveillance to prevent hoarding and price manipulation.

With sugar crushing season scheduled to begin on November 21, the prime minister directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) to take joint action against sugar mills and dealers involved in tax evasion, undocumented sales, and price hikes in sugar sector.

Following the directives by the prime minister to tighten the noose around the sugar mafias, a notification was issued directing FBR, FIA and IB to ensure prevention of sales tax evasion in sugar industry.

PM Sharif maintained that with the approaching of sugar crushing season, it is essential to collect 100 percent of the goods and services tax (GST) from sugar mills and dealers.

He warned that strict legal action would be taken against sugar mill owners involved in tax evasion and hoarding practices.

He said that the cameras will monitor the production process and stockpiling of sugar, ensuring GST payments are made and price hikes are prevented. He said that any increase in sugar prices would not be tolerated, as the government has zero tolerance for tax evaders.

In the same breath, the prime minister said that the sugar ‘Satta mafia’ or speculators will be dealt with an iron hand as no one will be allowed to create artificial shortage of the commodity.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024