By Media Monitor Desk
ISLAMABAD: Federal and provincial governments
have assured Supreme Court (SC) that sugar will be sold out to
the domestic consumers at the rate of Rs 40 per kilogram till
November, 30 and has filed a report in the court in this regard.
A 3-member bench of SC headed by the Chief
Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed the
hearing of the case Friday.
At the inception of the hearing, acting
attorney general Shah Khawar advocate presented the report and
took the plea that a consensus decision had been taken by the
federal and provincial governments, sugar mills owners and all
stake holders in a meeting held on October 29 that 30 percent
sugar would be provided to the domestic consumers and 70 percent
to the industrial consumers. Provincial governments would
monitor these steps. Supply of sugar to the domestic and
commercial consumers would be ensured on daily basis. All the
provincial governments would ensure supply of sugar to the
consumers under distribution strategy.
AG informed the SC daily consumption of sugar
in Punjab stands at 6000 metric tones, 2400 metric tones in
Sindh, 2000 metric tones each in NWFP and FATA and 1000 metric
tones each in Balochistan, Gilgit, Baltistan and federal
capital. This way the daily consumption stands at 11400 metric
tones.
He took the plea the existing sugar stocks
are 378000 metric tones which were enough much to meet the needs
till November, 30.
Attorney general assured the court Trading
Corporation of Pakistan would ensure supply of sugar as per its
requirement.
He informed sugar policy for the year 2009-10
would be reviewed in the cabinet meeting taking place next week
under the prime minister. All the four chief ministers would
also take part in the meeting.
CJO appreciated the role played by finance
secretary Suleman Siddique in the resolution of sugar crisis.
The court ordered the sale of sugar at the
rate of Rs 40 per kilogram be ensured. Amicus curiae Abdul
Hafeez Pirzada took the plea the case be disposed of.
CJP remarked case would remain under hearing
and finance secretary would be summoned on the day of hearing of
the case.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till
indefinite period.
