Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved initiating a major crackdown against the sugar mafia including smugglers, hoarders, and profiteers.
While chairing a high-level meeting here on Sunday, he expressed displeasure at the reports of illegal profiteering and smuggling of sugar.
Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Ahad Cheema, Chief Secretary Punjab, Secretary Food Punjab, Inspector General Police Punjab, and other officials were present in the meeting.
Shehbaz Sharif directed that the elements involved in profiteering and hoarding should be dealt with an iron hand and given exemplary punishment.
In this regard, the PM decided to summon a meeting in Islamabad on Monday to finalize measures to stop sugar smuggling.
During the meeting, a strategy would be formed for countrywide action to eradicate the smuggling of sugar and other items.
Shehbaz Sharif said that people could not be left at the behest of smugglers, profiteers, and hoarders.
“We will take action against those who are causing difficulties for the people.”
He instructed Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi to take effective steps and monitor the situation in order to control the price of sugar in the province.
He said the provincial government should devise a strategy to provide the confiscated sugar from smugglers and hoarders to the general people at a low price. The prime minister also instructed the Punjab chief minister to hold a meeting with sugar mills owners for keeping sugar prices stable.
He also held a meeting on the issue last week in Islamabad and measures taken by him brought the price of sugar to Rs 92 per kg.