ISLAMABAD: A plan to fully deregulate Pakistan’s sugar sector has been finalized and will soon be presented to the prime minister.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security expressed serious concern over delays in sugarcane crushing and sharp fluctuations in sugar prices, which are affecting farmers’ incomes.
The committee reviewed the ongoing crushing season and the proposed sugar sector deregulation framework. Chairman Syed Hussain Tariq noted that sugarcane prices had dropped sharply after harvesting began, despite being around Rs. 470 per maund earlier. He warned that delays in crushing were directly harming farmers.
Officials from the Ministry of National Food Security said the deregulation plan is in its final stage. The committee, led by Awais Leghari, held eight meetings and prepared a detailed framework for submission to the prime minister. Under the policy, the sugar sector will operate without government controls, while the Sugar Advisory Board will continue to protect farmers’ interests. A meeting of the board is scheduled for next week.
So far, up to 11 million tons of sugarcane have been crushed nationwide. Officials acknowledged that some mills in Sindh have not submitted their crushing reports. Syed Hussain Tariq added that only 12 percent of crushing had been completed by mid-December, and from January, sugarcane weight would decline if delays continue.
The chairman accused sugar mills of initially raising prices to encourage harvesting, then deliberately slowing operations to push prices down. Meanwhile, Punjab’s Secretary Food said all mills in the province are fully operational and actively engaged in sugarcane crushing.
The full deregulation of the sugar sector is expected to stabilize prices, ensure timely payments to farmers, and allow sugar mills to operate freely under market conditions.
