Full deregulation of sugar sector recommended

In a significant move aimed at enhancing transparency, a parliamentary committee has recommended full deregulation of the sugar sector to curb market manipulation and speculative practices. To further overcome the irregularities in the sector, the committee also proposed reconstituting the Sugar Advisory Board, removing private sector representation from the body. The recommendations came from a sub-committee which was formed, comprising Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Ms Tahira Aurangzeb, Farhan Chishti and Gul Asghar Khan. The report of the sub-committee was discussed at the National Assembly Stan­ding Committee on Commerce, chaired by Jawed Hanif Khan, on Monday. The meeting assessed progress on key trade-related matters, including export diversification, regulatory reforms, industrial competitiveness, and the implementation of the national trade policy.