By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has elected Asim Ghani Usman as its chairman, along with other office-bearers, at the association’s 2026 Annual General Meeting.
According to a PSMA press release, Asim Ghani Usman was elected chairman unopposed, while Muhammad Rafique was elected senior vice chairman. Aslam Farooq was elected chairman of the South Zone and Khan Muhammad Ashraf chairman of the North Zone, also unopposed.
Members of the PSMA Executive Committee were also elected from both zones.
From the South Zone, Asim Ghani Usman, Aslam Farooq, Ahmed Bawani, Dr. Tara Chand and Zaid Zakaria were elected to the Executive Committee.
The North Zone members include Muhammad Rafiq, Khan Muhammad Ashraf, Ahmed Ali Tariq, Hasan Ahmed and Ahmed Jahanzeb Khan.
Outgoing Chairman Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf presented the association’s annual report, highlighting challenges confronting the sugar industry. He termed deregulation of the sugar sector a solution to the industry’s difficulties and congratulated the newly elected chairman and Executive Committee members.
The newly elected leadership also discussed issues facing sugar mills and farmers and outlined proposals for reforms in the sector.
Addressing the AGM, Asim Ghani Usman said the sugar industry was facing major challenges and announced that PSMA would form a committee comprising five to six members to prepare recommendations for the government on deregulation.
He said deregulation could help create conditions for growth and investment across the sector. According to him, several major crops and agro-based industries operate under deregulated systems and contribute to economic activity and exports.
Asim Ghani Usman also linked deregulation with improvements in sugarcane production. He said comprehensive research into sugarcane seed varieties could become possible after deregulation, potentially giving farmers greater access to improved seeds.
The newly elected chairman also raised concerns about the cost structure of sugar production. He said inflation had increased across the country, but sugar prices were often singled out for criticism.
He claimed that some sugar mills were facing difficulties because prevailing sugar prices did not allow them to fully recover production costs. He also called for a reduction in the 18% sales tax applicable to the sector.
Asim Ghani Usman urged the government to consider deregulating the sugar sector before the start of the 2026-27 crushing season.
He warned that the closure of sugar mills would affect not only mill owners but also sugarcane growers who depend on the industry for the purchase of their crops.
The PSMA chairman called for immediate consideration of the association’s proposals and said the industry would submit detailed recommendations to the government through its proposed committee.