Pakistan, July 29 -- The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has launched an urgent investigation into the soaring sugar prices across Pakistan. At a meeting chaired by Junaid Akbar, the PAC demanded complete records of all sugar mill owners and exporters. Prices have surged past Rs210 per kilogram in Karachi and Rs215 in Haripur, triggering public and political alarm.

During the session, lawmakers expressed deep concern over artificial shortages and alleged price manipulation. The Secretary for Food Security was grilled for presenting inaccurate figures. PAC members claimed that the public was defrauded of over Rs287 billion due to export approvals and tax exemptions benefiting a powerful "sugar mafia."

According to the Ministry of Industr...