LAHORE:
The Association of Sugar Mills of Pakistan (PSMA) has emphasized that the sugar industry has always cooperated with the government in the broader national interest, however, the sale of sugar in the market has been seriously affected by the prohibition of the interprovincial movement and inter-districts of the basic products and the closure of the Federal Board of Income (FBR).
In a meeting with the Punjab Cane commissioner, Amjad Hafeez, the secretary general of PSMA said that, like other crops, floods and torrential rains, they had also damaged sugarcane plantations in a large area and that the harvest would take time to completely mature.
He pointed out that the Government had already been insimited that there would be enough sugar actions available in the country until mid -November, but despite the guarantee, the Government accepted tenders for the importation of 350,000 metric tons for which tariffs and taxes had been renounced.
“With the arrival of imported sugar and the presence of stocks in factories, it will not be feasible to start the early crushing season,” he said.
He expressed concern that if such restrictions on the free circulation of sugar continued, not only would it affect the industry but also sugar cane producers. The general secretary demanded that the government exceed the situation of the tomb and go to the country of the crisis in association with the sugar industry.
A week ago, the PSMA in a statement said that the FBR had stopped the sale of sugar throughout the country through its online portal, which caused strong objections of the members of the association.
While expressing concern about the movement of the FBR to restrict Sugar Mills sales through the portal, the PSMA pointed out that there were no such restrictions on the sale or price of imported sugar, asking for a leveling play field.
A spokesman for the association warned that such policies could lead to a severe market crisis. They warned that restricting national sugar sales can cause shortage in the market, which could cause a price increase.
