Islamabad: The Sugar Mills Association, reacting to the government’s decision not to import more sugar, has said that importing sugar is tantamount to completely destroying farmers and the domestic industry.

The Sugar Mills Association said in a statement that the sugar industry has been saying from the beginning that there are abundant stocks of sugar in the country, importing sugar is tantamount to completely destroying farmers and the domestic industry, the government has ordered to import 300,000 tons of sugar, which was not needed from the beginning.

The statement said that the government completely ignored the industry’s appeals in this regard, there are abundant stocks of sugar in the country till November 18.

The Sugar Mills Association said that these stocks must be exhausted for the sugar industry to come out of the financial crisis, flood water is still standing in the farmers’ crops, how will sugarcane harvesting be possible until the water runs out?

The statement further said that imported sugar is being procured with tax and duty free subsidy, the government repeatedly closes the FBR portal of the mills so that the imported sugar can be sold.

The Sugar Mills Association said that it is requested from the government to take positive decisions thinking about the betterment of the farmers and the industry.