The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been assigned to monitor sugar mills throughout the ongoing crushing season to prevent tax evasion and ensure adherence to government regulations. This directive follows instructions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who ordered the creation of special teams to oversee the production and stock records at sugar mills.
The FIA teams will track daily sales records for each mill to ensure transparency in sugar production. They will also document sugarcane deliveries and monitor the number of trolleys arriving at the mills to prevent illegal practices. The FIA confirmed that teams have been deployed to various locations, including three sugar mills in Lahore, under the supervision of Zonal Director Sarfraz Khan.
FIA officials stressed the importance of accurate and reliable data, emphasizing that curbing tax evasion is a crucial national responsibility. Any negligence in recordkeeping will not be tolerated.
Sugar mills have been operating since November 21, marking the start of the crushing season, which was determined in a meeting of the Sugar Advisory Board chaired by Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain. During the meeting, the Minister warned that action would be taken against mills failing to comply with government regulations.
The board also discussed sugar exports. While the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association had requested additional export quotas, the Minister clarified that no further exports would be permitted until the first export quota is completed.
Additionally, the board reviewed estimates for the sugarcane crop and the overall sugar stock situation, expressing satisfaction with the current sugar prices in the local market.
