SADIQABAD: The prime suspect in the Sadiqabad sugar scam has fled after allegedly embezzling billions of rupees from sugar dealers and traders, it was revealed on Thursday.
Hundreds of sugar traders from various towns are reported to be affected by the scam, which allegedly involves the prime suspect, Sheikh Rashid, and his accomplices.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has ordered an inquiry into the ‘mega sugar scandal,’ which has caused billions of rupees in losses to the national exchequer.
A NAB team visited Sadiqabad to investigate the matter, conducting the inquiry alongside the local administration, according to the assistant commissioner of the area. The NAB has directed affected individuals to submit their claims to its Lahore office.
Sheikh Rashid and his partners are under investigation for allegedly embezzling billions of rupees from sugar dealers and traders.
The NAB Director General in Lahore has formed a team to conduct immediate investigations, which have begun against Sheikh Rashid, Kashif, and Faisal.
The NAB spokesperson stated that Sheikh Rashid’s four warehouses in Sadiqabad, used to store sugar stocks, have been sealed on the orders of the DG NAB.
Earlier, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) deployed special teams to monitor sugar mills across Pakistan to curb tax theft.
The FBR spokesperson announced that field formation teams were stationed in sugar mills nationwide to oversee production, sales, clearance, stock, and other activities, with tax stamps mandatory on each sack of sugar.
The FBR warned that violating tax stamp regulations could result in the seizure of the entire stock and a three-year imprisonment for the defaulter.
The bureau emphasised that any attempts at sales tax theft on sugar would be met with strict action, with cases lodged against mill owners found involved in sugar theft.
