KARACHI:
In the past few weeks, the Sugar Mills of Pakistan have put extraordinary pressure on the government to allow them to export their sugar stock. But the export would have increased sugar prices for domestic consumers by 25%. Similarly, genetically modified organisms (GMO) soybean importers are pressuring the Ministry to release their stalled vessels. However, the Minister of National Food Security, Tariq Bashir Cheema, has refused to allow the sugar mills to export without verifying the sugar stock available in Pakistan. He also stopped nine vessels carrying tonnes of GMO soybean from unloading at Pakistani ports.
I thank the Minister of National Food Security for doing a good job and saving the people of Pakistan from high sugar prices and GMO soybean that can cause cancer. The print media has also done a great job of highlighting the tricks used by sugar mills in the past to inform the general public and prevent them from falling for these tricks again. It is refreshing to see a sitting minister and media working together for the greater good of the people of Pakistan and preventing selfish profiteers from looting the public food supply.
Shahryar Khan Baseer
Peshawar
Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2022.
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