Prime Minister Forms High-Level Committee to Deregulate Sugar Sector in Pakistan

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a high-level committee to develop actionable recommendations for deregulating and reforming Pakistan’s sugar sector, including potential privatization.
According to Express News, the committee will evaluate current policies and regulatory frameworks affecting sugar production, import, export, pricing, subsidies, and storage, with the aim of introducing structural reforms.
The committee will be chaired by the Federal Minister for Energy, while the Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production will serve as the convener. Other key members include the Federal Ministers for Finance, National Food Security & Research, and Economic Affairs.
Additional members include Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries, former Secretary Rana Naseem, PM’s Coordinator on Agriculture and Food Security Ahmad Umar, and representatives from the Ministries of Food Security, Commerce, FBR, and chief secretaries of Punjab and Sindh. Academic experts Dr. Ijaz Nabi and former LUMS Vice Chancellor Dr. Zahoor Hassan are also part of the panel.
As per the Terms of Reference (ToRs), the committee will review federal and provincial laws, rules, and policies related to the sugar industry and recommend reforms based on accurate data on stock, supply, and pricing. The interests of farmers, protection of consumers, and national commercial needs will be central to its policy recommendations.
The committee is also tasked with proposing measures to stabilize prices, prevent hoarding, and ensure transparency in the privatization process. It will engage stakeholders such as industrialists, farmers, and regulatory bodies in formulating its report.
The committee is expected to present its final report to the Prime Minister within 30 days.