Those involved in sugar scam will be tried under criminal law: Akbar

(Karachi) Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Accountability Shehzad Akbar has said that the PM has approved the recommendations of the Sugar Inquiry Commission. He added that cases will be registered against those involved in Sugar scam under the criminal law.

Addressing a pres briefing in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said that NAB, FIA, SECP and FBR will oversee some of the matters related to the scandal. "The sugar subsidy given in last five years was illegal," he maintained.

"It came to light during investigation that farmers faced losses as sugar was purchased at lower rates."

Akbar mentioned that an action plan has been prepared in light of the recommendations of Sugar Commission and all those who took benefit will be taken to task.

The Sugar Inquiry Commission report held Omni Group, Murad Ali Shah, Moonis Elahi, Jahangir Tareen, Salman Shehbaz and others responsible for their involvement in the sugar scam.

The report transpired that farmers faced losses at the hands of businessmen and middleman. It stated that farmers were not given their due share while sugar was sold at higher rates.

The findings revealed that certain sugar mills used informal receipts. The mill owners also showed the price of production to be more than the support price which meant that farmers earned less, the report maintained.

The report stated that sugar mill owners carried out informal banking, which is an unregulated procedure and resulting in losses to the farmers. The inquiry commission report also revealed that sugar mill owners are also involved in accounting fraud.