ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has informed Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb that the sugar barons are allegedly providing incorrect data to the Sugar Advisory Board to seek permission for exports.
Over the last two decades, the same modus operandi has been adopted, ultimately resulting in shortage of sugar in the country. Instead of relying upon flawed and wrong data, the Commission has recommended securing data on sugar production and stocks from reliable sources such as sugarcane commissioners and independent data through third parties before taking a decision on export/import of the sweetener.
In a detailed presentation to the finance minister and his team, the CCP shared its assessment of how many discrepancies surfaced while ascertaining the authenticity of the data given by the millers to the Sugar Advisory Board, which recommended sugar exports.
According to the analysis of the sugar crisis from 2008-09 to 2025, the sugar barons fed wrong data in the almost two decades to seek government’s green light for sugar exports. Ironically, the sugar barons have managed to dodge the penalties on the basis of different excuses since the inception of the Commission.
The Commission suggested deregulation of the whole sugar sector as the only viable and implementable solution starting from sugarcane to sugar production. According to the Commission, public sector intervention caused distortion in the competitive market.
According to an official statement issued by the CCP, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb was given a comprehensive briefing on the challenges related to promoting competition in the sugar sector and the causes of the recent sugar crisis.
Advisor to the finance minister Khurram Shehzad, Chairman CCP Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, Registrar CCP Shehzad Hussain, Legal Advisor Hafiz Naeem, and Director Cartel & Trade Abuse Salman Zafar along with other senior officials attended the briefing.
Dr. Kabir Sidhu informed the finance minister that the CCP was preparing detailed recommendations to assist the Sugar Sector Reform Committee. He also apprised the minister of the causes of previous sugar crises in 2008-09, 2015-16, and 2019-20, and shared the Commission’s findings and enforcement actions against cartelization in the sector.
The finance minister was informed that the CCP’s 2021 order against the sugar cartel had been remanded by the Competition Appellate Tribunal to CCP for a rehearing, and that the Commission had formulated a comprehensive strategy for its expeditious disposal.
Senator Aurangzeb assured full government support to the CCP for expediting court proceedings of the pending cases and enhancing the institution’s operational capacity. He reaffirmed that a robust competition framework was essential for protecting consumer interests, ensuring market transparency, and sustaining economic growth.
The meeting also reviewed pending litigation, examined administrative and regulatory measures to stabilise the sugar market, and discussed proposals to strengthen the CCP’s institutional capacity to promote economic efficiency, protect consumers, and ensure a transparent, competitive business environment.
