Sugar mill owners have once again approached the government for permission to export sugar, requesting approval to ship 1 million tons after claiming surplus stock in the domestic market.
According to sources, the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association has submitted production and stock data to the government, stating that total sugar production currently stands at 7.8 million tons.
The association claimed that nearly 1 million tons are surplus and should be allowed for export.
Government officials have started reviewing the figures provided by sugar mills and the cane commissioner. Authorities suspect that around 300,000 tons of imported sugar may also have been included in the stock data submitted by the industry.
After completing the review process, a committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will decide whether to allow fresh sugar exports. Officials are examining the actual availability of sugar stocks before taking a final decision.
Last year, sugar mills were also granted export permission after declaring excess stock in the country. However, exports later contributed to a shortage in the local market, which pushed sugar prices sharply higher across Pakistan.
The government was eventually forced to import sugar to stabilize supplies and control prices in the domestic market.
Meanwhile, the government has already circulated a policy proposal aimed at deregulating the sugar sector, under which mills would gain greater freedom in deciding sugar exports in the future.