Sugar scandal: govt sends first reference to NAB.

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar on Wednesday said the first reference related to the sugar scandal had been referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for taking further action against the accused.

Addressing a press conference, he said an action plan had been prepared in the light of the Sugar Inquiry Commission's recommendations and the departments concerned had been asked to take action against those involved in the sugar scandal. He said it was observed that the Rs 29 billion subsidy on sugar during years from 2014-19 was given against the law and without any solid reason.

He said the commission had prepared a comprehensive 16-page plan of action with inclusion of sentences under penal law, action from every department concerned both federal and provincial level, and nomination of persons involved in the sugar scam. The action plan would be forwarded to all the departments concerned for taking an appropriate action, he added.

The SAPM said Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Federal Cabinet had approved the recommendations of Sugar Inquiry Commission. It was for the first time that the government had also tested the transparency in Rs 2.4 billion subsidy on sugar given during its own...