Islamabad (HRNW) — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released a report highlighting serious concerns over persistent corruption and governance weaknesses in Pakistan. The report calls for the immediate implementation of a 15-point reform agenda, noting that its scope is limited to corruption and governance issues at the federal level.
According to the IMF, sugar mill owners holding key government positions influenced policies to protect their profits at the cost of fair market competition. The report states that these mill owners manipulated export permissions and price-setting mechanisms for personal gain. Despite having sufficient stock, they allegedly created an artificial shortage and colluded to manipulate market prices.
The report further states that the PTI government’s 2019 decision to allow sugar exports demonstrates how the elite exert control over policymaking to advance their interests. The sugar inquiry report identified major political heavyweights as responsible, confirming that export pressure significantly contributed to the rise in sugar prices.
