As the illegal transportation of sugar has been restricted due to strict actions against cross-border smuggling, the country will now transport sugar to Afghanistan through legitimate exports, he said.

During a press talk flanked by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Aurangzeb highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to bring economic reforms and improving financial transparency.

“For the first time, sugar has been exported to Afghanistan rather than smuggled,” he stated, adding that the government is making efforts to stabilize the dollar rate.

He further mentioned that, in accordance with directives from the Prime Minister, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has enforced an advanced production monitoring system within the sugar sector.

Through this step, the sugar will be distributed through legitimate channels, halting hoarders to do the same practice to affect the market.

Consequently, authorities have shut down 10 shot hoppers and six sugar mills, imposing penalties totaling Rs125 million.

Finance Minister Aurangzeb also shared that a remarkable rise in tax revenue from the sugar industry has been witnessed. In the first two months of 2025, the government collected Rs24 billion in sales tax on sugar, a 54% increase from Rs15 billion during the same period last year.