The Sugar Mills Association has split into two factions over the sugar scandal and a group led by former president Zaka Ashraf has emerged against incumbent president Noman Ahmad Khan.

The group has filed a no-confidence motion against Noman with the support of 34 members, stating that the organisation was controlled by the ruling group and Jahangir Tareen was the person responsible for letting the mills leave in the lurch.

It said “We want to do business. Confrontation with the government or institutions is not in our interest. Those who have taken the position that the current president is not resigning at the behest of Jahangir Tareen that was why a no-confidence motion was brought against him.”

The association did not take it into confidence or consult it before going to the court, the monopoly of the same family has lost its usefulness and is hurting the business, the group added.

According to the report, there are currently 41 sugar mills in Punjab, of which 12 mills belong to the same group and family. Five mills belong to Jahangir Tareen, four belong to Shamim Khan, (father of President Noman Khan) and three belong to Makhdoom Shehryar.

Noman Ahmad Khan is a cousin of Jahangir Tareen. As this is a political family, their problems are different, which is affecting other sugar mill owners.

According to the report, after consultation in the pressure group, a no-confidence motion has been filed against the present organization. Because the group has a majority, with the removal of 12 mill owners and the remaining 29 mill owners being apolitical with the sole purpose of doing business, the pressure group seeks expediency and cooperation from the government to continue its business.