Pakistan’s sugar imports have surged 7,906.15 percent in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, official data show, marking a dramatic shift from last year’s minimal import levels, Pakistan Today reported.
Data from the PBS show that between July and January, sugar imports exceeded $17.46 million, compared to just $211,800 during the same period last fiscal year, Pakistan Today reported.
The sharpest increase was recorded in January 2026, when sugar imports alone reached $23.4 million. This marked a 46.38 percent rise from the previous month, highlighting growing dependence on imported sugar.
Overall food imports also continued to climb. In January, they rose by 7.74 percent, while the cumulative increase for the July–January period stood at 19.26 percent. During these seven months, total food imports surpassed $5.5 billion.
Separately, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a reference in an accountability court against a private sugar mill and officials of the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP).
The Ministry of Commerce had earlier approached NAB over alleged irregularities involving 5,365 metric tons of sugar. The issue was first discussed by the Public Accounts Committee, which later referred the matter to NAB for further action.
According to NAB, an inquiry conducted by its Karachi office under the National Accountability Ordinance found that the accused allegedly acted in collusion with TCP officials to commit fraud related to sugar stocks.
The anti-corruption body said the alleged wrongdoing caused a loss of around Rs960 million to the national treasury. A NAB spokesperson confirmed that the preliminary inquiry has now been converted into a formal investigation.
