Sugar mills mafia blackmailing the government - Press Release issued by Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt.

Islamabad -- November 21, 2022 (PPI-OT)

Following is the text of press release issued by Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt

Quote

Former President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt on Saturday said sugar mills have decided to delay crushing season if it is not allowed to export one million tonnes of sugar. Subjecting crushing to export permission is a bid to blackmail the government which should not be allowed, he said.

Shahid Rasheed Butt said that delaying crushing is tantamount to the worst exploitation of millions of farmers bankrupted by the recent flood. Delay in crushing will cause huge loss to sugarcane farmers which should not be allowed, he added. The business leader said that the government should take strict action against the influential sugar mill owners that do not start crushing as it will put a financial burden on farmers.

The sugar mills mafia is forcing farmers to commit suicide for their profit which is cruelty. Sugar mills claim that they currently have up to thirteen lakh tonnes of sugar, but the government wants to confirm the claim before taking any decision in this regard so that there is no sugar crisis in the country.

If the government allows the sugar mill owners to export one million tonnes of sugar, it will have to pay heavy subsidies as usual, and there will be a shortage of sugar in the country, which will further increase its price. Export of sugar will provide an opportunity for the profiteers to skin the public which is already facing...