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The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday while hearing a case against the shifting of sugar mills from north to south Punjab halted the crushing operations of the Sharif family's Ittefaq, Chaudhry and Haseeb sugar mills.
PPP Senator Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, counsel for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Jahangir Tareen's JDW Sugar Mills Ltd, told a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar that the shifting of sugar mills is an illegal move, citing a 2006 Punjab government notification that not only banned the creation of new mills, but also the shifting of their locations.
Defence counsel Salman Akram Raja argued that a 2015 amendment in the 2006 notification, overseen by the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, made provisions for the shifting of sugar mills from one point to another, although the creation of new mills remains illegal.
As CJP Nisar ordered a halt in the mills' crushing operations, Raja contended that such a move would render thousands of employees jobless and the mill would lose Rs380 million as a result.
Furthermore, Raja also maintained that the stoppage of operations would shut down the power plant attached to the sugar mill.
The CJP, raising a question about the shareholders in the mill, asked whether the Punjab chief minister's son, Hamza Shahbaz, had any stake in the operation.
The defence counsel denied Hamza Shahbaz had any stake in the mills, and explained that Tariq Shafi, Javed Shafi and their families are stakeholders in the operation.
The apex court handed the case down to the Lahore High Court (LHC) and instructed the LHC chief justice to hear all sides of the case and deliver a verdict within a week.
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Comments (66) Closed
Feb 09, 2017 05:07pm
These rulers are good at bypassing or disregarding the laws and do what they want. This is royal governance!
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Feb 09, 2017 05:11pm
Jaag raha hai Pakistan!
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Feb 09, 2017 05:14pm
It is amazing they have a business under every stone in Pakistan.
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Feb 09, 2017 05:21pm
Commercial interests mixed with governance. Can you name any progressing country, where the rulers and their families are actively pursuing business interests?
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Feb 09, 2017 05:22pm
Its a good thing the rulers of this country are investing in the country helping the economy to grow. Hats off to them.
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Feb 09, 2017 05:25pm
Can anyone explain why one cannot start a new sugar mill if one wants to and has legitimate funds to? Is this the government protecting the assets of their own so that a few can only make money without competition? I think the same law is in place for flour.
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Feb 09, 2017 05:34pm
They might have to move if the soil is exhausted. It is probably costing too much for fertilizers. Crops have to be rotated or the land allowed to lie fallow and renew the mineral content of the soil. Not sure the part of the law making moving of the mills illegal makes sense. In many other countries if your employer moves you move with the plant or find another job. The poor are tied to the land. What does make sense is sugar prices are high because the law is supporting a monopoly. Making new mills illegal prevents competition and allows the old growers to set prices.
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Feb 09, 2017 05:33pm
It is amazing that PM family owns all corners of poor Pakistan.
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Feb 09, 2017 05:41pm
Fantastico! Sign of things to come... The decision must be coming along anytime now.
Braise yourself Sharif brethren. Thy kingdom cometh!
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Feb 09, 2017 05:46pm
The Sharifs have as much conflict of interest as PMs and CMs as does Trump - all claims, pronouncements and arrangements notwithstanding.
The election laws of Pakistan need to be revamped to disqualify anyone:
1- With substantial business interests or investments abroad;
2- Anyone who has been absent from Pakistan for 365 days or longer in the five years preceding their bid for election to any public office;
3- If a candidate has not filed his tax returns , paid taxes and has not disclosed all his assets and business interests truthfully.
I think it will go a long way towards seeing the end of nepotism and feudal lordships that has beset this nation for decades.
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Feb 09, 2017 05:50pm
The following paragraph is a perfect example of conflict of interest, "Defence counsel Salman Akram Raja argued that a 2015 amendment in the 2006 notification, overseen by the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, made provisions for the shifting of sugar mills from one point to another, although the creation of new mills remains illegal." CM Punjab first amended the 2006 notification and then used it in favor of Sharif family's Ittefaq mills to try shift the mills. Am I misinterpreting something or can no one see this clear conflict of interest?
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Feb 09, 2017 05:50pm
Most lucrative business in Pakistan is politics. Thru it, one can stop taxes on private businesses, and ban entry into the business by others.
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Feb 09, 2017 05:53pm
"... Raja contended that such a move would render thousands of employees jobless and the mill would lose Rs380 million as a result. ..". Amazed at this argument in defence of an illegal act.
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Feb 09, 2017 05:54pm
Southern Punjab was a cotton growing area and NO sugar mills could be set up there (Cotton needs almost no water BUT sugar cane needs about 20 times more water). Due to humidity the quality of cotton (which was our main cash crop) becomes very low. About 25/30 years ago two sugar mills were set up in the area. This bad precedence is being repeated by the present rulers.
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Feb 09, 2017 06:00pm
Fair enough, stop operations of Sharif Sugar Factories but this should not stop or divert attention from Panama leaks investigations.
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Feb 09, 2017 06:08pm
These corrupt multi-millionaires and super rich are ruling this poor country and country's poor people. These poor Pakistani people who don't even have access to the very basic healthcare facilities.
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Feb 09, 2017 06:11pm
@Naveed "It is amazing they have a business under every stone in Pakistan." Except in governance, which incidentally, is the only earned job they ever got called for.
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Feb 09, 2017 06:14pm
Politics has become most lucrative business in Pakistan. Using your clout, you can evade taxes, issue directives to serve your own interest and so on. In our country CONFLICT OF INTEREST does not mean anything, though it is a standard practice in reputed enterprises to commit to avoid it.
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Feb 09, 2017 06:15pm
@Skeptic
Good point Skeptic - also long jail time for trying to cheat by false declaration and other forms of election cheating.
The Sharifs have as much conflict of interest as PMs and CMs as does Trump - all claims, pronouncements and arrangements notwithstanding.
The election laws of Pakistan need to be revamped to disqualify anyone:
1- With substantial business interests or investments abroad; 2- Anyone who has been absent from Pakistan for 365 days or longer in the five years preceding their bid for election to any public office; 3- If a candidate has not filed his tax returns , paid taxes and has not disclosed all his assets and business interests truthfully.
I think it will go a long way towards seeing the end of nepotism and feudal lordships that has beset this nation for decades.
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Feb 09, 2017 06:13pm
Why is everyone concerned now???you people have voted them bear them now and dont complain because you are equally responsible for the havoc created by them sharifs..next year is election year IA and vote the right person. Do remember think before who u vote so that you people dont have to cry for the next 5 years
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Feb 09, 2017 06:15pm
'The defence counsel denied Hamza Shahbaz had any stake in the mills, and explained that Tariq Shafi, Javed Shafi and their families are stakeholders in the operation'. Can the defence counsel be asked to explain further who are Tariq Shafi, Javed Shafi etc - all relatives of Sharifs.
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Feb 09, 2017 06:39pm
@Usman - In fact I would like to suggest even more stringent qualifiers:
4- Anyone holding dual citizenship, cannot hold public office;
5- Anyone with substantial foreign-based family ties should not be allowed to contest.
6- Anyone who is deemed a 'billionaire ($ wise) has no business holding public office.
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Feb 09, 2017 06:49pm
Sharif family always takes advantage of being in power, they should not be running any business when they part of government. Just look at US president Donald Trump, he removed himself from his personal business.
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Feb 09, 2017 06:55pm
Only hope for the people of Pakistan , an independent, fearless judiciary. Other state institutions are subservient to Sharifs and their cronies.
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Feb 09, 2017 07:03pm
Self interest above public interest is what NS does. How much money does he need. He is a billionaire.
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Feb 09, 2017 07:06pm
Indeed, our institutions are alive and being done their duties effectively. The ruling allies must abdicate their own businesses to avoid the personal benefits from their government positions.
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Feb 09, 2017 07:31pm
Why is that what these two brothers Shreeif and their family does is questionable, illegal and against the interests of Pakistan?
But people continue electing corrupt people like them. Some wrong with our people. Sincerely
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Feb 09, 2017 07:40pm
PML-N and its leadership loosing moral ground to rule by the day. The sooner we get rid of them. The better it is for Pakistan.
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Feb 09, 2017 07:49pm
Before getting excited one way or the other, read the last paragraph carefully. It is LHC to decide. Wait till it decides.
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Feb 09, 2017 07:52pm
@BAXAR USA has now :)
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Feb 09, 2017 07:55pm
@Baxar yes the brand new government of USA.
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Feb 09, 2017 08:00pm
Good Job , Mr. CJ. Finally a quick decision.
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Feb 09, 2017 08:31pm
I have seen few comments praising the owners of these mills for generating economic activity.These comments at best can be attributed to lack of knowledge of the readers about the issue.These 3 sugar mills have recently been shifted to RYK.Rahimyar khan is one of the best cotton growing area but these sugar mills are destroying the fertility of the land.Few years ago RYK was 75% cotton growing area.Now area under cotton cultivation is just 40%.Although sugarcane may benefit the farmer in short run;it ruins the fertility of soil by altering the pH of the soil.With this rate sugar cultivation this area shall become water logged n saline in next 10 years.The mill owners by offering short term benefits to farmers are ripping them off.The rate of sugarcane fixed by sharrifs is Rs 180/tonne while per kg sugar rate is 70 rupees thus making mill owners super rich.Everyone in RYK knows that these 3 mills are owned by sharifs and Shafi family is acting as frontmen for them.
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Feb 09, 2017 08:35pm
@Mohammad Naseem, USA " yes the brand new government of USA" Did you read the question well? I asked to name of a progressing country!!!
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Feb 09, 2017 08:38pm
This is great. Looks like justice system is now working in our country.
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Feb 09, 2017 08:58pm
@Murtaza "USA has now :)"Which is not progressing country, according to the same, and he got elected for that reason.
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Feb 09, 2017 09:05pm
@Timeto stopthis what about the sons of NS.. why are they not investing in Pakistan???
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Feb 09, 2017 09:07pm
@Ahsan gul every vote makes the voter earn Rs 5000.00.
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Feb 09, 2017 09:10pm
@salar. Not only Sharifs, but other rulers own the entire sugar industry in Pakistan as its profits are guaranteed through import ban. It's a highly lucrative business in Pakistan.
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Feb 09, 2017 09:22pm
@Ajamal Lets start our own country and set up all the rules to benefit ourselves!!!!
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Feb 09, 2017 09:53pm
@Timeto stopthis
No, it doesn't work this way; the government official need to stay out of their business entities completely mentally, physically, and indirect support, etc.
If they need to benefit people with jobs through their businesses, they need to stay out of government completely.
Sorry , you cant have both.
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Feb 09, 2017 10:04pm
@Nikama ; Please don't blame the people totally, it is a general trend if some pledge with you and you make a contract , Okay you vote for me when I will be elected , I will do this and that for you. Unfortunately when these people got elected they do not keep theirs promises- I believe your good self know this!!
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Feb 09, 2017 10:14pm
Next stop Panama case. Mr. PM if you have even a shred of self respect left then resign on account of your misdeeds.
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Feb 09, 2017 10:19pm
@Harmony-1© .They have plenty of money to spend on litigations,they have smart lawyers to defend. They can exercise powers to issue statuary notifications for their vested interests.They are kings garbed in democratic system.The only section of media is still relaying the truth,and their media cell is busy in offering hefty perks to them. Let's pray for neutral media remains unharmed.
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Feb 09, 2017 10:44pm
@salar I am from Rahim yar khan. In 1960 they made laws to prevent major crops. As is the case in lower punjab where basic crop is sugar cane and cotton. for proper agriculture growth cotton is our backbone and same as sugarcane. there is a balance in their cultivation but due to shifting of sugar mills and installation of new mills , farmers will cultivate sugarcane and conversaly cotton production will be decrease . its like preservation of agricultural crops same formula apply in central and upper punjab depending upon their major agricultural crops. but point is despite installment of new sugar mills farmers are suffering because the sugar cane rate is same from last 5 years. these mill owners are taking every paisa and not even increasing the prices for farmers.
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Feb 09, 2017 10:46pm
Sharif family rich in actual poor on paper. Own too much inland and abroad but nothing with them on papers. They get treatment education etc from abroad but on papers can't afford more than govt hospital and school and much more.....
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Feb 09, 2017 10:49pm
Across the border PM Modi does not even own a house
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Feb 09, 2017 11:11pm
Story is the court also stopped the Sharif's from building another sugar mill in a particular area.....but they went ahead and built it anyway.....how ?
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Feb 09, 2017 11:22pm
@Timeto stopthis by disrupting other people who used to own the and. They customize laws according to their needs. These sugar mills should be nationalized and then sold on open bid to investors. This family should be barred from participating in the bid.
All the proceeds should be deposited in the national exchequer.
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Feb 09, 2017 11:24pm
@Skeptic I live outside of Pakistan and repatriate about Rs. 200 mio every year. But I agree with your comment.
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Feb 09, 2017 11:28pm
In Pakistan, can you dare to even question the ruling elite?
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Feb 10, 2017 12:45am
And that's why the CJ of the LHC has been asked to preside over the Bench that hears this case now, even though it is already pending before two junior judges of the LHC. Bold and fearless stuff from CJ Nisar. Bravo!
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Feb 10, 2017 01:21am
@Ahsan gul I agree! The ignorant masses are threat to genuine democracy. Ignorance sucks!!
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Feb 10, 2017 01:38am
Well done , First step against Mafia..
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Feb 10, 2017 01:49am
@Skeptic anybody who stayed out country for total of one year in last twenty years can't minster even elected an parlimaterian
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Feb 10, 2017 01:53am
@salar , Ya they want to protect the number of mills so the existing mill reap the benefits. This was done 2006 when the Gen. Musharraf and Pervez Ellahi were in Power.
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Feb 10, 2017 01:55am
Okay this is quite amusing that courts are doing something, but why are we only focusing on Nawaz ? There are other politicians as well including Musharraf. So to give justice courts must also look into the businesses of other politicians.
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Feb 10, 2017 02:34am
@BAXAR YES. TRUMP, of USA
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Feb 10, 2017 02:45am
@Timeto stopthis Understood, but what about conflict of interest?
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Feb 10, 2017 03:56am
@Nikama it is not that straight forward brother. In Pakistan, politicians don't get votes, they snatch votes from poor and less educated people to come to power.
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Feb 10, 2017 04:14am
"As CJP Nisar ordered a halt in the mills' crushing operations, Raja contended that such a move would render thousands of employees jobless and the mill would lose Rs380 million as a result".
"Furthermore, Raja also maintained that the stoppage of operations would shut down the power plant attached to the sugar mill".
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Feb 10, 2017 06:36am
NS is accumulating wealth inside PAK and outside PAK. Our masses still elect him. Only God can save PAK. We are sane people and only blame others for our failure. Long live Pakistan. Pakistan paindabad.
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Feb 10, 2017 07:08am
All these political demagogues have monopolized all the lucrative industries like sugar mills .
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Feb 10, 2017 07:39am
About time. Time to follow the rules. Yes, same rules for rich, powerful, weak, poor, big thieves as well as petty thieves. Law applies to all regardless of their status in society.
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Feb 10, 2017 09:02am
How many more cases needed to prove them corrupt? For god sake people wake up..............
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Feb 11, 2017 02:42pm
APTMA is the prime stakeholder whether it considers it or not. South Punjab is cotton region on which textile industry depends. If rulers plunder and damage the cotton belt how will textile industry survive? But they have been quieted by some recent short term 'packages'. RIP Cotton crop in Pakistan.
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