Updated on
Summary
The sugar crisis has intensified across the country and sugar is not available at the government fixed prices. Sugar mill owners petition against the Lahore High Court (LHC) decision of reducing the sugar prices down toRs40/kg has been accepted by the Supreme Court. On the other hand, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that mill owners could face contempt of court for going against the LHC decision. In Peshawar, the provincial government has enforced section 144 and the sugar can not be transported out of the province. Yesterday, LHC had rejected the sugar mill owners petition seeking the stay order on the courts earlier orders of reducing sugar prices. The mill owners afterwards decided to move the SC. Earlier, the negotiations between the sugar mill owners and the Punjab Government failed once again and the people couldnt get sugar at Rs 40 per kg as per the court orders. Punjab Chief Minister also ringed Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilnai to discuss the sugar issue. The premier maintained Federal Government would fully cooperate with the Provincial Government to implement the courts decision in public interest. Conflicts cropped up between the Punjab government and the sugar mill owners after the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered to sell sugar at Rs 40 per Kg. The Punjab government deployed police at several sugar mills whereas mill owners refused to negotiate with the government. The sugar mill owners said that the Punjab government previously fixed sugar price at Rs 45/Kg without consulting them and when they were ready to sell it on that price, the LHC set the price at Rs 40/Kg without hearing their viewpoint. The mill owners had then announced to move court instead of talking to the Punjab government.
