RECORDER REPORT
ISLAMABAD: The Sugar Inquiry Commission Saturday quizzed office holders of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) led by its Chairman Aslam Faruque for a couple of hours at the FIA headquarters.
Well-informed sources told Business Recorder that PSMA’s representatives who believe that its members are being unfairly targeted, were confused during questioning and some of the answers were not satisfactory.
The Presidents of PSMA, Punjab Zone, KP Zone and Sindh were also present during the questioning, in addition to other auxiliary people. The Inquiry Commission had also asked PSMA to bring experts who could explain cost of production mechanism.
The sources said Sugar Inquiry Commission Chairman Wajid Zia and members Nafees Gohar, Ahmad Kamal, Bilal Rasool, Majid Hussain and Bashir Ullah recorded the statements of PSMA’s office-bearers.
The Inquiry Commission raised questions regarding, sugar costing, sugar export and increase in prices. PSMA, shared the same costing with the Inquiry Commission which they shared in past.
The sources said the Inquiry Commission has also summoned Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of under investigation 10 sugar mills who may face a very tough time as information/evidence available with the Inquiry Commission is overwhelming. Investment in sugar mills of other countries like Australia will also be sought from those who spent millions of dollars for this purpose.
According to sources, a sugar mill established in Mianwali supposedly on sugar beet is running on sugarcane which has also established baggasse-fired power plant, is under scrutiny.
On April 28, 2020, Cabinet was informed that the magnitude of inquiry is very vast and a lot of information processed/analyzed needed collaboration and follow up. Many key stakeholders will confront the findings of the audit teams.
Informed sources told Business Recorder that sugar dealers have extended extraordinary cooperation to the Inquiry Commission and shared “ unbelievable” information when sugar millers tried to shift all responsibility on them .
Former Prime Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former Commerce Minister, Khurram Dastgir Khan also appeared before the Inquiry Commission and presented their viewpoint on sugar scam which led to an increase in sugar prices and payment of subsidy by the Punjab government for exports.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had written a letter to the Chairman of Inquiry Commission and offered to share information on sugar prices and subsidy with the inquiry commission.
One of the representatives of PSMA said when Khurram Dastgir was the Commerce Minister, he did not allow export in time due to which prices in local market crashed and advertisements appeared against the Commerce Ministry for its criminal negligence adding on what grounds is he appearing before the Commission.
