Ban on raw sugar import to stay

ISLAMABAD - The government has rejected the sugar industry’s demand to lift ban on the import of raw sugar, considering it a conspiracy to exploit the farmers.

The matter was raised in the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting the other day but the Prime Minister personally opposed the industrialists’ request and decided to retain the imposed ban, sources told TheNation.

Sources also said that Minister for Industries, Manzoor Watoo was not against importing raw sugar and earlier in a press conference as well, he had said that the government could allow raw sugar import but the Prime Minister personally took the decision not to lift the ban imposed on the import of the product.