SC directs representatives to formulate a proposal for buying, selling of sugarcane

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: A three-member bench on Monday directed representatives sugar mills to formulate a proposal for the buying and selling of sugarcane crops and present it to the top court.

During the hearing of petitions filed by growers for the reopening of three relocated sugar mills the SC directed representatives sugar mills to formulate a proposal for the buying and selling of sugarcane crops and present to court.

During the hearing of petitions filed by growers for the reopening of sugar mills that were shut, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar said that the mills that were shut will not open “come what may”.

Farmers approached the apex court to allow crushing of sugarcane for the current season after LHC had declared the relocations illegal and ordered that the owners of the mills return them to their previous locations within three months. The order came in a case filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Jahangir Tareen, where he challenged the relocation.

In their petition, the farmers said that the season’s crop will be wasted if the mills are not allowed to operate. However, the top court had turned down their request.

Justice Nisar observed that the banned sugar mills may be creating hurdles for the farmers, adding that they should compensate the farmers. Justice Nisar said the court’s priority was to not let the poor farmers suffer.

The three-member bench directed representatives of the five sugar mills to formulate a proposal for the buying and selling of sugarcane crops and present it to the top court. The SC will supervise buying and selling of the crop.