Punjab’s sugar sector is heading toward a major confrontation as sugar mills across the province have united in defiance of the government’s directive to begin the sugarcane crushing season from November 15.
According to reports, the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) rejected the provincial government’s order, calling it commercially untenable. PSMA central leader Ch Zaka Ashraf said that only three or four mills may start operations tomorrow, while the rest cannot meet the deadline due to crop and market conditions.
He cited irreparable loss from recent rains and floods, coupled with complications from the global market and the Indian factor, as key reasons mills are unable to begin crushing. He added that mills have invested billions and cannot survive without the ability to make independent business decisions. He further claimed that Pakistan has enough sugar stocks to last until December 15, suggesting no immediate market emergency exists.
The Punjab government, however, remains firm. Its earlier notification required all mills to start crushing from November 15 to protect farmers and stabilise market prices. With widespread resistance expected, the administration has moved to enforce compliance.
Deputy commissioners and additional cane commissioners have been instructed to form special multi-agency monitoring teams comprising representatives from district administration, special branch, anti-corruption establishment, DFC offices and the industries department. These teams will conduct physical inspections at every sugar mill on November 15 to verify whether crushing has begun.
According to the cane commissioner’s directive, any instance of non-compliance discovered during inspections must be immediately documented and reported to the director-general (food)/cane commissioner.
Officials say timely crushing is essential to ensure sugarcane harvesting precedes wheat sowing. The special assistant to the chief minister on price control said the crop has reached the required sucrose level, leaving no reason to delay crushing.
