ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) Central Chairman Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf on Friday asserted that Finance Adviser Shaukat Tarin had assured the association that the government “will not fix the price of sugarcane and sugar”.
Ashraf’s remarks came following a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, where talks on the sugar industry including the prevailing sugar crisis were held.
“The sugarcane industry is an important industry of the country,” PM Imran said. During the meeting, the premier noted that Ashraf was “doing a good job” and assured him that like other industries, the sugar industry will also be protected.
Speaking to journalists after meeting, Chaudhry Zaka said that reservations against the government now stand removed and all matters regarding the production and sale of sugar will normalise soon.
“Finance Adviser Shaukat Tarin has also said that the prime minister has given us full authority,” the association chairman said, adding that the premier has assured the industry of the government’s “full cooperation”.
Speaking of the start of the sugar crushing season in Punjab, Ashraf said that the activity will begin from November 15 in south Punjab and from November 20 in central Punjab. “We will work with the government,” Ashraf said.
He remarked that setting sugarcane prices is the “prerogative of the provinces” and went on to state that the rate is Rs225 per maund in Punjab and Rs250 per maund in Sindh. “The government will keep strategic sugar reserves and will not give any subsidy for sugar,” he added.
“Prices will be such that they are affordable for the people and we will not face any losses either,” he added. Ashraf said that sugar production is expected to be 6.5 million tons.
Regarding the government’s crackdown on sugar mill owners and management, he said, “If the sellers of sugar will be put in jail then who will sell sugar?” Ashraf said that the government will persuade banks to provide working capital to the sugar mills and revealed that it had urged the mills to pay farmers in 15 to 20 days.
