Finance Minister Highlights Success in Preventing Sugar Smuggling to Afghanistan

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb Tuesday said that stringent measures against cross-border smuggling have resulted in sugar being legally exported instead of being illicitly transported to Afghanistan. Speaking at a press conference alongside Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, Aurangzeb emphasized the government’s commitment to economic reforms. “For the first time, sugar has not been smuggled to Afghanistan, it has been exported,” he stated, stressing that the country needs “every single dollar” to maintain a stable current account. He further revealed that, under the prime minister’s directives, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has implemented an enhanced production monitoring system in the sugar sector. This system ensures that sugar reaches legitimate distributors within the supply chain rather than falling into the hands of hoarders. As a result of these measures, authorities have sealed 10 shot hoppers and six sugar mills. “So far, penalties amounting to Rs125 million have been imposed,” the finance minister said. He also reported a significant increase in tax revenue from the sugar industry. In the first two months of 2025, the government collected Rs24 billion in sales tax on sugar, compared to Rs. 15 billion in the same period last year, an increase of 54 percent. Aurangzeb expressed confidence in the country’s sugar supply, stating that the current season’s requirements are well-managed and should remain stable moving forward.