PM Khan “displeased” over threats to the committee probing sugar crisis, Awan

Special Assistant to Prime Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Tuesday that Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed “great displeaure” after he was informed that the commission “investigating the sugar crisis was being threatened”.

The statement came a day after the major reshuffling in federal cabinet in which Khusro Bakhtiar was removed as food security minister.

“Today, the prime minister expressed ‘great displeasure’ over threats being given to the sugar crisis inquiry commission. He said that stern action will be taken against those who are giving threats [to the inquiry commission] again,” SAPM Awan said during a press conference.

The SAPM said that PM Imran Khan will take prompt action against those involved in the sugar crisis after the commission investigating the matter submits a final report to him on April 25.

“PM Imran reassured the cabinet once again that he has been working to protect small farmers and to provide sugar at cheap rates to the public,” Awan stated adding that, “to ensure that sugar be provided at low-cost to the public, PM Imran ordered this probe so that the facts would come forward,” she said.

While citing the inquiry committee Awan said, “In our sugar policy, there have been no reforms, the sort of reforms that are needed to protect the rights of the people”.

“The inquiry committee has not only raised questions on but it also identified the lacking in our system,” she said.

“A foolproof and transparent system will be introduced to ensure transparency and that such an artificial crisis is not created again,” Awan added.