Relations between Prime Minister Imran Khan and his former confidante Jahangir Khan Tareen continue to remain strained even weeks after the prime minister ordered the authorities to release an inquiry report linking Tareen and many others to a recent sugar scandal in the country.

According to the sources, two ministers who were pleading Tareen’s case before the prime minister have now given up on their efforts to arrange a meeting between the prime minister and Tareen.

Sources in Prime Minister’s House say the PM would not meet Tareen or representatives of the sugar mills until the inquiry commission on the sugar crisis releases its investigative report on those behind the crisis.

The prime minister has said that he would not allow anyone to pressurise the inquiry commission or single out anyone. He said he has told the head of the inquiry commission that he wants a comprehensive and clear report on the sugar scandal as soon as possible.

Also read: Sugar inquiry commission will release its report: Asad

According to the sources in the inquiry commission, owners of the sugar mills are once again trying to have the inquiry report pushed under the carpet like they did in 2017. The sources said that owners of the sugar mills are trying to blame the sugar crisis on the brokers. Owners of 10 sugar mills did not appear before the inquiry commission on Sunday despite the fact that they were present in Islamabad. Instead, they sent their representatives and financial officers to appear before the inquiry commission.