Atta Tarar: There is no sugar shortage, it is just mismanagement

ISLAMABAD: In a recent appearance on Hum News’ programme Power Politics with Adil Abbasi on HUM News, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Atta Tarar addressed the issue of sugar shortage and said that the current problem lies in mismanagement rather than a shortage of sugar.

During the interview, Tarar defended the decision to export sugar and clarified that it was not a wrong decision. When asked by host Adil Abbasi if the decision was attributed to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Tarar explained that when a coalition government makes a decision, it is a collective decision and falls under collective ministerial responsibility. He noted that although one party took the lead in sugar exports, the effort was collective and should be viewed as such.

Meanwhile, Tarar asserted that there is currently no shortage of sugar in the country and that with proper management, sugar prices can be stabilised in the upcoming months of September and October.

When Abbasi inquired about the public’s comparison of inflation during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and the present situation, Tarar commented on PTI’s declining popularity in 2022.

“Many had advised against pursuing a vote of no confidence, suggesting that PTI Chief should complete his term, as people were unlikely to support him again. Prominent candidates were reluctant to accept PTI tickets, while PML-N always had viable alternatives,” Tarar added.

Regarding PTI’s dealings with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Tarar stated that PTI’s failure to reach an agreement with the IMF had detrimental consequences as IMF conditions became stricter over time.

Furthermore, host Abbasi pointed out that PML-N had also made a similar mistake by delaying meetings with the IMF after the vote of no confidence, and he argued that PML-N had come to power to save the nation.

“PTI had already destroyed the whole country. Everything was in halt, no foreign investments, CPEC slowed down,” Atta Tarar said.

During the discussion, a senior journalist Irshaad Bhatti disagreed with Tarar’s claims, stating that PML-N had come to power to amend specific laws and nothing more.

Throughout the interview, Tarar maintained his stance that PTI’s leadership had negatively impacted the country’s economy, accusing the PTI chief of misappropriating Toshakhana gifts and causing economic turmoil.