Commission may seek extension to complete probe

ISLAMABAD: Sugar Inquiry Commission is likely to seek further extension for completion of task as a bunch of analysis on data and documents is not yet completed, well informed sources told Business Recorder.

On April 28, Federal Cabinet had granted three week extension to the Commission to complete its work on a summary of Ministry of Interior.

“Inquiry is delayed till after Eid,” said one of the stakeholders. Ministry of Interior is expected to share the update on the inquiry with cabinet on Tuesday and seek extension till after Eid.

Recently, the Inquiry Commission quizzed Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar and PM’s Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood.

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former commerce minister Engr Khurram Dastgir Khan also testified before the Commission.

The representatives of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association were also questioned on costing and other related issues. CEOs of 9 mills sent their legal representatives before the Commission reportedly fearing that personal appearance could create problems for them.

Sugar brokers / dealers have also been questioned. Some of them have become approvers after millers tried to put the entire burden on them.

The commission will also summon those employees of mills and sugar retailers whose names were used in transactions of millions of rupees.

Insiders claim that sugar millers think the entire exercise is against Jahangir Khan Tareen who is on some one’s hit list.—MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN