Sugar Prices Continue to Rise Amid Political Connections to Sugar Mills
Sugar prices across Pakistan have seen a continuous rise, with the retail price of sugar reaching 175 to 180 rupees per kilogram. Just a month ago, the price was around 140 rupees per kilogram, and the cost of a 50-kilogram sugar bag in markets was 6,200 rupees. Now, the price of the same 50-kilogram bag has increased by 2,000 rupees, reaching 8,200 rupees.
**Government Action:**
Following assurances from sugar mill owners about not raising prices, the government had allowed the export of sugar. However, with the significant increase in sugar prices, the government has taken action. Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has announced that for the next month, the ex-mill rate will be fixed at 159 rupees per kilogram, and the retail price will be capped at 164 rupees per kilogram.
**Political Figures Linked to Sugar Mills:**
There has been growing concern about which political figures or their relatives own sugar mills, especially with the rising prices. A past investigation by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) during the sugar crisis inquiry highlighted the political connections to sugar mills. The report revealed that several prominent politicians and their families own sugar mills across the country.
**Key Political Figures and Sugar Mill Ownership:**
– **Sharif Family:**
The Sharif family and their relatives own six sugar mills, including Hamza Sugar Mills, Ramzan Sugar Mills, H. Waqas Sugar Mills, and Ittefaq Sugar Mills.
– **Nawaz Sharif’s Relatives:**
Nawaz Sharif’s other relatives own Abdullah Sugar Mills, Channar Sugar Mills, Choudhry Sugar Mills, Kashmir Sugar Mills, and Yusuf Sugar Mills.
– **Asif Ali Zardari and Relatives:**
Former President Asif Ali Zardari and his relatives own six sugar mills, including Ansari Sugar Mills, Sukrand Sugar Mills, and Kiran Sugar Mills. Zardari’s close associate and former PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf, also owns Ashraf Sugar Mills.
– **Chaudhry Shujaat and Fehmida Mirza:**
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, the leader of PML-Q, owns Punjab Sugar Mills. GDA’s Fehmida Mirza is the owner of Mirza Sugar Mills and Panjeryo Sugar Mills.
– **Jahangir Khan Tareen:**
Senior politician Jahangir Khan Tareen owns three sugar mills: DW1 Sugar Mills, W2 Sugar Mills, and Gulf Sugar Mills. Additionally, Chaudhry Pervez Ashraf and Khusro Bakhtyar are partners in Rahim Yar Khan Sugar Mills.
– **Hamayun Akhtar and Haroon Akhtar:**
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Hamayun Akhtar’s brother, former senator Haroon Akhtar, and their partners own Kamlia Sugar Mills, Tandlianwala Sugar Mills, Wala Miran Sugar Mills, and Layyah Sugar Mills.
As sugar prices continue to rise, the connection between political figures and the sugar industry has become a subject of public concern, with many questioning the influence of these political dynasties on the nation’s economic policies.
