The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has written a third letter to the federal finance minister and the minister for national food security, expressing concern over the repeated shutdown of the FBR’s S-Track portal. The association emphasized that the closure of this system has disrupted sugar sales across the country and could trigger a major supply crisis if not addressed immediately.
In its latest communication, the PSMA stated that it has already sent several letters urging the government to intervene and direct the Federal Board of Revenue to keep the portal functional. The association stressed that removing these restrictions is essential to ensure smooth sugar supply from mills to the market, preventing potential shortages and price hikes that could affect consumers nationwide.
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The spokesperson noted that the frequent switching on and off of the FBR portal has become a regular occurrence in recent weeks — something the industry described as “unprecedented and unacceptable.” They added that such disruptions have never occurred before and are severely impacting the industry’s operations and supply chain stability.
During a meeting held on October 14 at the Ministry of National Food Security, PSMA representatives once again highlighted the issue. Government officials reportedly assured the industry that they would coordinate with the FBR to prevent further disruptions. However, despite these assurances, the portal remains blocked, causing continued uncertainty within the sugar sector.
The PSMA warned that if the situation persists, the market could face a severe shortage of sugar. The restriction on lifting sugar from mills would create an artificial supply gap, leading to soaring prices. The association emphasized that the sugar industry should not be blamed for the crisis, as the issue lies entirely with the portal’s mismanagement.
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The association urged the government to take immediate action by instructing the FBR to unblock the portal and remove all restrictions. It reiterated that timely intervention is critical to ensure the steady flow of sugar to the market and to protect consumers from an avoidable price surge.