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Prime Minister’s Adviser on Accountability Shahzad Akbar on Saturday said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), after a five-year audit of 69 sugar mills, imposed a tax to the tune of Rs588 billion on the mills.
Speaking to the media, Akbar said as a result of the audit, the revenue from sugar mills was doubled in the previous fiscal year. At least 10 mills however approached the high courts to get a stay order, he added.
According to Akbar, the government also imposed Rs44 billion in fines for cartelisation by the mills.
In order to curb tax evasion and regulate the production of sugar, the government will install track and trace systems in the mills before the next crushing season, Akbar further said.
Commenting on last year’s fuel crisis, the PM’s adviser said that an inquiry was also conducted into the shortage of petroleum products last year and a fine was imposed on oil marketing companies involved in the shortage of petroleum products.
Read LHC stays FBR’s audit against Tareen’s JDW sugar mills
The aide elaborated and said that 2,000 illegal petrol stations have been shut down across the country, which has boosted the sales at gas stations owned by Pakitan State Oil (PSO).
Action against sugar mills
The government has launched a crackdown on sugar mills over the price of the commodity. On Friday, the PM ordered action against millers and hoarders over the hike in the price of sugar.
Chairing a review meeting on the selling price and hoarding of sugar, the premier had also ordered ensuring the implementation of the track and trace system of mills to ascertain the production volume of the commodity.
“The government will take strict action against profiteers, who are enemies of the poor masses,” PM Imran had remarked.
As of Friday, the Punjab government was also on the move against the mills. Cases were filed against the owners and management of three mills – Chanar Sugar Mills Faisalabad, Shakar Ganj Sugar Mills Jhang and Pasrur Sugar Mills Gujranwala.
Chanar Sugar Mills owner Javed Kayani, Shakar Ganj Sugar Mills owner Pervez Ahmed and two general managers had been arrested while police were conducting raids to nab the owner of Pasrur Sugar Mills.
“Nobody would be allowed to sell sugar higher than the ex-mill rate of Rs84.75 per kg and retail price of Rs89.75 per kg,” Punjab’s chief secretary had said in connection to the cases.
Separately, the officials of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) had said that arresting some executives of sugar mills by government authorities was not a “good omen” for business in general and the upcoming investment in particular.