SHC nullifies Sugar Inquiry Commission report, ordered Fresh Investigation

The Sindh High Court has nullified Sugar Inquiry Commission report on Monday, ordered Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to launch a fresh investigation into the case.

According to the details, the written verdict was issued by the SHC on a petition filed by the sugar mill owners on the government-led commission on sugar price hike that took place earlier this year.

The verdict was issued by a two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha and Justice Omar Sial.

The court also directed the FIA, NAB and FBR to interrogate people who had knowledge about the sugar industry.

Furthermore the bench urged the institutions to find out if anyone was given “illegal or unjust subsidy”.

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The court directed above mentioned institutions to carry out fresh investigations as per the law.

The court ordered anti graft watchdog to carry out an independent investigation according in line with the NAB Ordinance.

“If any government official has misused his powers, it should be investigated,” said the SHC. It also asked the FBR to investigate the matter according to the country’s tax laws.

“FIA should also ignore the sugar inquiry commission report and re-investigate [the increase in prices],” directed the court in the verdict. It also issued the same orders to the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The court also sent the verdict to the governor SBP, Chairman NAB and DG FIA.

Earlier Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar said that report of the Sugar Commission was made public as per the promise of Imran Khan.

While addressing a news conference in Islamabad, Shahzad Akbar said that action is being taken against 156 people of the food department.

He revealed that about 60 to 70 government officials are directly involved with the mills, wheat was provided to 667 flour mills under government subsidy.