The Markazi Kisan League has expressed serious concern over a sharp 7,906 percent increase in sugar imports, saying the trend poses a threat to Pakistan’s agricultural economy and local sugarcane farmers.
In a joint statement, MKL Chairman Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali Olakh and President Ashfaq Virk urged the government to immediately control sugar imports and introduce measures to reduce financial pressure on farmers. They stressed the need to protect national economic self-reliance and support domestic agriculture.
According to the leaders, sugar imports from July to January of the current fiscal year crossed 17.46 million dollars, compared to only 211,800 dollars during the same period last year. They described this massive jump as a sign of serious gaps in policy planning.
The MKL pointed out that Pakistan is a major sugar-producing country, yet increasing imports are hurting local growers. Farmers are already facing high costs of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, diesel, and irrigation, along with water shortages and what they described as limited government support.
The league demanded an immediate review of the current import policy, timely payments to sugarcane farmers, subsidies on agricultural inputs, and a clear strategy to boost domestic sugar production. It warned that failure to act could weaken the agriculture sector and negatively impact the broader national economy.
MKL leaders said they will continue to raise the issue at all platforms to ensure protection of farmers’ rights and promote sustainable growth in the agriculture sector.
