Three Sugar Mills Sealed in Jhang and Faisalabad over Non-Payment to Farmers

By Dr Ansab Ali – Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Punjab’s Cane Commissioner, Amjad Hafeez, announced that three sugar mills in Jhang and Faisalabad have been sealed for failing to pay sugarcane farmers. The action follows complaints from growers and is part of ongoing strict monitoring of the crushing season by the Punjab government.

All 41 sugar mills in Punjab have now commenced crushing, producing 7,871,244 metric tons of sugarcane and 283,935 metric tons of sugar. This surge in production has helped reduce sugar prices, with ex-mill rates now at Rs159–162 per kg and retail prices ranging from Rs168–179 per kg.

District monitoring teams, led by Deputy Commissioners, are submitting daily reports to ensure transparency and fair practices. Continuous inspections of weighing scales and cane-weighing equipment are also underway to guarantee that farmers receive accurate measurements and payments.

Commissioner Hafeez added that action against the sugar mafia continues, with over 500 FIRs registered and 3,952 individuals arrested for various violations. He emphasized that the government is committed to protecting farmers’ rights and ensuring compliance across the sugar industry.