CJP urged to constitute commission against 'political sugar mills mafia'

The Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Aain Pakistan (TTAP) has written a formal letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, urging him to take suo moto notice of the massive sugar scandal and form an independent inquiry commission, reported 24NewsHD on Monday.

The letter was signed by Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Allama Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, and Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar—all senior political figures demanding judicial intervention.

They alleged that billions of rupees were looted from the public through sugar price manipulation while all accountability institutions remained silent.

--Conflict of Interest: Sugar industry’s ties to power--

According to the letter, several powerful families in the government have indirect stakes in the sugar industry, creating a clear conflict of interest.

“This scandal is a glaring example of using government positions to benefit private business,” the letter stated.

—Sugar empires in Pakistan—

Pakistan's sugar industry comprises around 89 operational sugar mills, with the majority located in Punjab (45) and Sindh (37), and 7 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

These mills not only produce white refined sugar but also electricity, molasses, and bagasse as by-products.

--Major players in sugar industry--

JDW Sugar Mills Ltd, Almoiz Industries, Fatima Sugar Mills, Habib Sugar Mills, Chashma Sugar Mills, Fecto Sugar Mills, Abdullah Shah Ghazi Sugar Mills Ltd, Tandlianwala Sugar Mills, Haseeb Waqas Group, Ittefaq Sugar Mills, Dewan Sugar Mills Limited, Noon Sugar Mills, RY Khan Sugar Mills Limited, Shakarganj Limited, Mirpurkhas Sugar Mills Ltd, Al-Abbas Sugar Mills Ltd, and many more.

--PSMA’s influence--

The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) represents mill owners but has faced criticism for allegedly influencing sugar pricing.

Public and political pressure is now mounting for transparent investigations, as voices grow louder against unchecked government and corporate sector collusion.

--Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan--

The Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) is a political alliance of several political parties in Pakistan led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and is under the leadership of Mahmood Khan Achakzai.

Currently, it consists of various parties that protest against electoral fraud in the 2024 Pakistani general elections and oppose the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori