Observer Report
Lahore
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar on Saturday said the sugar inquiry report is a charge sheet against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Akbar said that Prime Minster Imran Khan gave permission for the export of the commodity not for the subsidy.
“There was ample sugar stock in the country when the export was allowed,” Akbar said and added the price was high in the international market at that time. Akbar said that the sugar inquiry report was made public as soon as it was received from the commission.
“I will prove whatever Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said was a white lie and they [opposition leaders] are misleading the nation about the report, which is a landmark development.”
Senior PML-N leader earlier in the day had blamed the government for supporting the sugar barons and said: “[PM] Imran, [former finance minister] Asad Umar, and [Chief Minister Punjab] Usman Buzdar are the real culprits behind the sugar scam.”
“Sugar issue may claim the PTI government.”
Reacting to the Abbasi’s criticism, Akbar stated that this is for the first time that ministers appeared before an inquiry commission and testified.
Turning his guns towards the former prime minister, the SAPM said that the inquiry report has exposed Abbasi who doled out Rs20 billion subsidy to the sugar mills owners on a 24-hour notice due to Salman Shahbaz.
“Abbasi failed to provide any document or give a satisfactory reply to the panel’s questions.” PM’s aide on accountability said that 50% of the sugar cane procured during the year 2017-19 was not declared nor the sugar produced from it was shown in the papers.
