Former Principal Secretary Fawad Hasan Fawad has raised questions regarding the government’s decision to re-import sugar after previously exporting sugar worth $300 million.
Posting on the social media platform X, Fawad Hasan Fawad wrote that the $300 million sugar import is not in the public interest and should be immediately reviewed. According to him, the average person is not a major consumer of sugar; the real beneficiary is the food and beverage industry.
He stated that initially, permission was granted to export sugar, and now it is being imported to benefit industrialists. The per capita sugar consumption is 28 kilograms annually, and the real issue is the role of the mafia. This is hazardous to public health — why is precious foreign exchange being spent on it?
He further said that the government’s failure to control prices cannot be used as justification for import. The average person cannot afford soft drinks or sweets, so why is sugar being imported in their name? Will anyone be held accountable for allowing the export?
He questioned when investigations would be launched into the sugar mafia, brokers, and hoarding. Has the FBR (Federal Board of Revenue) taxed the sugar industry’s profits over the past five years? If the FBR levies a 35% tax solely on the sugar sector’s profits, the deficit could be reduced.
It is worth noting that a few days ago, the federal cabinet made a final decision to import 500,000 tons of sugar. The Ministry of National Food Security stated that the decision to import 500,000 tons of sugar has been finalized and the import will be carried out through the public sector.
The ministry added that all arrangements for the import have been completed and immediate implementation is underway. This measure is being taken to stabilize prices.
