Islamabad: The opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain, has appealed to Chief Justice Yahya Afridi to take suo motu notice of an alleged scandal in the sugar industry, where mills reportedly pocketed Rs300 billion through recent price hikes.
In a letter submitted to the Supreme Court, Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar called for an independent commission to be set up under Article 184(3) of the Constitution.
He argued that serious regulatory lapses and potential policy manipulation must be thoroughly investigated.
Khokhar emphasized the urgency of the matter, urging the court to either treat the letter as a formal petition or refer it to a three-member bench for immediate review.
“The integrity of our economic system and the public’s faith in governance depend on swift and transparent action,” the letter stated.
The letter also referenced a recent briefing given to the Public Accounts Committee on July 29, during which it was revealed that sugar mills had made windfall profits amounting to Rs300 billion due to sudden price surges.
Meanwhile, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has pushed back its hearing into the sugar cartel case.
Over 70 sugar mills requested an extension, citing that their legal representatives were unavailable due to the ongoing Supreme Court summer recess.
The CCP announced that the hearings are now rescheduled for September 22–25, following repeated requests for adjournment.
In addition, more than 50 sugar mills have challenged the tribunal’s earlier decision in the Supreme Court, which directed the CCP to rehear the case.
In a statement, the CCP explained that the postponement was a one-time concession to ensure the right to a fair trial.
It warned, however, that no further delays would be entertained and hearings would be held on a day-to-day basis.
Back in May, the Competition Appellate Tribunal returned the case to the CCP for fresh proceedings, ordering that a new panel, one uninvolved in earlier hearings, take charge.
The tribunal gave the CCP 90 days to complete the rehearing and deliver a final verdict.
The case stems from a 2021 ruling, in which the CCP fined the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association and several of its members Rs44 billion for collusion and price-fixing, charges that the mills have consistently denied.
