The Competition Commission of Pakistan had originally scheduled a critical hearing on the sugar price-fixing case, where over 70 sugar mills were summoned.
However, sugar mill owners requested an adjournment, citing the non-availability of their legal teams due to Supreme Court vacations.
The CCP accepted the plea and officially rescheduled the hearing between September 22 and 25. More than 50 mills have also filed appeals against the Competition Appellate Tribunal’s decision in the Supreme Court.
According to the CCP, this is the final adjournment being granted in the interest of justice. The commission added that the hearings will proceed on a daily basis once resumed, and no further delays will be allowed.
The case revolves around alleged cartelization and price manipulation, contributing to artificial inflation in sugar prices — a major concern for consumers already burdened by economic challenges.
What's Next?
The CCP has vowed to conduct the hearings on a daily basis from late September, while public pressure continues to grow for judicial intervention. The civil society's call for transparency and accountability in the sugar industry remains a pressing issue.
Letter to CJP
In a letter, the Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Aain Pakistan requested that the sugar scandal be referred to a three-member judicial committee and an independent inquiry commission be established. The letter, signed by senior political figures including Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Allama Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, and Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, highlighted billions looted from the public while accountability institutions remained silent.
The letter also alleged a conflict of interest, pointing to families in power who allegedly maintain indirect stakes in the sugar industry, using their positions to advance private business interests.
Sugar price rises by Rs1 per Kg in Lahore’s Akbari Mandi
Dealers in Lahore's Akbari Mandi have increased the price of sugar by Rs1 per kilogram. The commodity is now being sold at Rs171 per kg, slightly above the official rate of Rs170.
According to market sources, the price hike was implemented by local dealers without any official revision. Consumers have expressed concern over the steady increase in essential commodity prices despite government-set rates.
Authorities have yet to respond to the local market adjustment.
Sugar other mills across Sindh is still unavailable at notified price
In a rare development, sugar has started selling at government rates in the country’s largest wholesale market, Jodia Bazaar. According to dealers, only one sugar mill has so far supplied sugar at the official ex-mill rate of Rs165 per kilogram.
Dealers say sugar from other mills across Sindh is still unavailable at the notified price. In the wholesale market, sugar is currently being sold at Rs170 per kg.
Traders report that retailers are being limited to a maximum of 10 sugar bags per shop. Despite receiving sugar at the official rate, most retailers say they will sell it at Rs175 per kg due to overhead costs.
