The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has revealed that sugar mills earned a massive Rs300 billion in windfall profits following the government’s decision to allow sugar exports. A report shared during the PAC meeting showed that 67 sugar mills exported 746,469 tonnes of sugar worth over $400 million from July 2024 to June 2025. Lawmakers expressed serious concerns over export policies that clashed with domestic needs, resulting in artificial shortages and sharp price hikes.
PAC Chairman Junaid Akbar stated that only 42 families gained from this profit boom, raising alarms over monopolies and limited competition in the sugar sector. He questioned why new sugar mills are not being allowed and demanded a list of mill owners. The data showed JDW Sugar Mills was the top exporter, followed by Tandlianwala, Hamza, and others, with each earning billions through exports.
Lawmakers pointed out that while exports boomed, local sugar prices surged from Rs143 to Rs173 per kilogramme. This raised questions about why the government subsidised sugar exports despite having a surplus. Riaz Fatyana alleged a Rs287 billion loss due to price manipulation, while Moin Aamir Pirzada called out the “sugar mafia” for its ties with powerful political figures.
Tensions rose when Malik Amir Dogar claimed that most sugar mills are owned by political families, including those of Asif Ali Zardari, Jahangir Tareen, and Nawaz Sharif. His remarks led to a heated exchange, with PPP and PML-N members strongly objecting. Senator Bilal Mandokhail stepped in, asking Dogar to retract his comments.
Meanwhile, officials clarified that sugar regulation is managed by provinces, although federal and provincial members sit on the Sugar Advisory Board. The committee was also informed that Pakistan will now import 300,000 tonnes of sugar in September through open tenders. Despite these plans, lawmakers demanded full transparency and accountability in the sugar sector to protect public interest.