Sugar mill owner ordered to pay Rs40m dues to farmers till 24th

BAHAWALPUR: The sugar mill owned by Prime Minister’s uncle, owes Rs40 million to sugar-cane growers, and the Cane Commissioner Punjab has issued show-cause notice to the mill owner to clear these dues till April 24 and appear before the cane commissioner.

According to details, the Punjab cane commissioner has issued show-cause notice to Mian Shafi, the real uncle of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the owner of Ittefaq Sugar Mills, situated in Channi Goth area of Bahawalpur.

The notice said that the mill owed the farmers Rs40,575,662. Various complaints have been received by the commissioner, and protest demonstrations could erupt any time. The notice said that under the law, the mill owners are bound to make full payment within 15 days after receiving the crop.

The cane commissioner has been warned of strict action under the Sugar Factories Control Act 1950 if dues are not cleared till April 24. The mill is currently sealed under the Supreme Court orders.