Opposition Demands CJP Probe Rs300B Sugar Scandal

Download IPFS

The Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain-e-Pakistan (TTAP) has urged Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi to take suo motu notice of an alleged Rs300 billion sugar industry scandal, citing massive profits from price fluctuations, as reported by The Express Tribune. The opposition demands a judicial commission to investigate.

In a letter to CJP Yahya Afridi, the TTAP, led by Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, called for action under Article 184(3) of the Constitution to probe suspected policy manipulation and regulatory failures in the sugar sector. The alliance highlighted a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revelation on July 29, 2025, noting that sugar mills earned Rs300 billion due to recent price hikes. Khokhar emphasized the need for a three-member judicial committee to examine the issue or for the letter to be treated as a formal petition. He stated that economic stability and public trust in governance depend on swift judicial intervention, according to The Express Tribune.

The PAC meeting, chaired by Junaid Akbar, exposed inconsistencies in sugar policies, with Pakistan exporting 790,000 tons of surplus sugar worth Rs111 billion in 2023-24, yet facing shortages and high prices domestically. The Auditor General of Pakistan confirmed the Rs300 billion profit figure, while lawmakers like Omar Ayub reported retail prices exceeding Rs200 per kilogram, far above the reported average of Rs173. The industries secretary noted 1.9 million tons of sugar remain in stock until the next crushing season, but members criticized the government’s erratic export-import policies, per The Express Tribune.

The TTAP’s call for a commission reflects broader concerns about transparency in Pakistan’s economic management. The alliance argues that unchecked profiteering undermines public welfare and fuels inflation. The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) postponed a related sugar cartel case after over 70 mills requested a delay, raising questions about regulatory oversight. The opposition’s push for judicial action underscores distrust in current mechanisms to address alleged profiteering.

This development highlights ongoing tensions between the opposition and the government, with the TTAP pressing for accountability. The CJP’s response could shape public confidence in judicial and economic governance, as the nation grapples with rising costs and policy challenges.