LAHORE: The Punjab Cane Commissioner has launched a province-wide crackdown against illegal middlemen and irregularities in weighing systems at sugarcane procurement centers during the 2025-26 crushing season, directing the deputy commissioners to submit daily progress reports on enforcement actions.
In an official circular dated November 24, 2025, Cane Commissioner Punjab Amjad Hafeez instructed all deputy commissioners, except those in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Jehlum, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang and Murree to ensure that sugar mills do not purchase sugarcane from unlicensed purchasing agents or middlemen. The directive is issued under Section 17 of the Punjab Sugar Factories (Control) Act, 1950 and Rule 12 of the Punjab Sugar Factories Control Rules, 1950.
The notification emphasizes that the elimination of middlemen is essential to ensuring transparency and a fair procurement process for growers. Sugar mills have therefore been ordered to source sugarcane only through authorized procurement agents approved by the office of the cane commissioner.
Cane Commissioner Amjad Hafeez said that inspections of sugarcane purchase centers and weighbridges are already underway across Punjab. Action is being taken against mills found using illegal or tampered weighing systems, with deputy commissioners required to submit detailed daily reports summarizing inspections conducted, complaints received, FIRs registered, individuals arrested, fines imposed, equipment sealed, and action taken against middlemen.
According to the cane commissioner, enforcement activity has already resulted in cases being registered against six mills, while 11 persons have been arrested due to weight manipulation and irregularities at weighbridges.
He said the provincial administration is determined to ensure that farmers receive accurate payments for their produce and that unregistered middlemen, who distort market pricing and reduce growers’ profitability, are removed from the supply chain.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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