ISLAMABAD: The government faced strong criticism in the Senate on Monday for failing to control the rising price of sugar. Lawmakers accused authorities of supporting market mafias and ignoring consumer rights. The session was chaired by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani.
Senator Mohsin Aziz said the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) had failed to protect consumers and check unfair market practices. He stressed that no serious steps were being taken to ensure price control or regulate the market. Senator Ali Zafar accused the government and the sugar mafia of working together to “bleed the people dry.”
Zafar demanded a parliamentary committee to investigate the sugar mafia and its alleged collusion with officials. Senator Dinesh Kumar echoed these concerns, saying mafias control not just sugar but most essential items. He questioned whether lawmakers were present only to “sit idle” while people suffer from inflation.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb responded, stating that CCP had recovered Rs120 million since August 2023 and completed 20 inquiries. He said the commission received 170 complaints across 28 sectors in recent months and that the Senate Finance Committee had been briefed on its performance.
The Senate also passed multiple bills, including amendments to laws on journalism, social media, and consumer protection. Notably, the Journalist Protection (Amendment) Bill 2022 was unanimously approved. Several other bills related to vocational training, cannabis regulation, and legal reforms were referred to relevant committees.