The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved the permission sought by sugar mafia (Pakistan Sugar Mills Association) to allow export of 400,000 tons of sugar under the pressure of politicians in government and opposition who are also owners of sugar mills.

PSMA is not prepared to compromise their profits and follow the free market rules which determine the price of commodity on the demand-supply situation. In case of excess sugar production, sugar mafia does not want that the consumers have relief paying less. To control the supply in the local market, PSMA will like to export sugar when international prices produce more profit.

When international prices are lower, PSMA will never decrease their sales prices. This is all done because a majority of sugar mills belongs to ruling class. These owners are not politicians themselves but are supporters of the ruling politicians.

The sugar mafia wants to deplete the stock of sugar by exporting it so that windfall profits can be made during Ramazan when the demand for sugar increases.

Portfolios that should remain within the provinces’ control are managed by the center; and those which the center should have controlled have been transferred to provinces such as education, health.

S.T. HUSSAIN Lahore