The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain has formally urged Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi to take suo motu notice of what it claims is a massive Rs300 billion sugar industry scandal.
In a letter addressed to the CJP, Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar demanded the formation of a commission under Article 184(3) of the Constitution to probe alleged policy manipulation and failures in market regulation that enabled sugar mills to rake in windfall profits.
Khokhar emphasized the urgency of the matter and asked the Supreme Court to either refer the issue to a three-member bench or treat the letter as a formal petition to initiate judicial proceedings.
“The future of Pakistan’s economic stability and public trust in governance rests on timely and decisive intervention,” the letter stated.
The letter highlighted recent revelations before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), where it was disclosed that sugar mills had allegedly earned Rs300 billion through price manipulation amid recent market fluctuations.
Meanwhile, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has postponed hearings in the sugar cartel case after over 70 sugar mills sought adjournments, citing the unavailability of legal counsel during the Supreme Court’s summer recess.
The CCP announced that hearings will now be held from September 22 to 25, but made it clear that no further adjournments will be granted and proceedings will be conducted daily.
The delay follows appeals from more than 50 sugar mills in the Supreme Court, challenging the tribunal’s earlier order for a rehearing.
The CCP case stems from a 2021 decision in which the regulator imposed a Rs44 billion fine on the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and several member mills for price fixing and cartelization.
Earlier this year, the Competition Appellate Tribunal ordered the CCP to rehear the case, assigning it to the chairperson or a member not previously involved in earlier proceedings, and to conclude the rehearing within 90 days.
