Questions Raised Over Sugar Industry Expansion
Economist Dr. Kaiser Bengali has called for a major reassessment of Pakistan’s sugar industry, arguing that sugarcane cultivation should remain concentrated in a limited number of coastal districts rather than expanding across the country.
Speaking on agricultural and economic policy, Bengali said sugarcane is fundamentally a coastal crop because higher sucrose content develops in plants grown near the sea. According to him, the quality and efficiency of sugar production decline as cultivation moves farther inland and toward northern regions.
Consequently, he suggested that sugarcane farming should be restricted primarily to coastal districts such as Thatta, Badin, and Sujawal. He also recommended locating sugar mills in the same areas to align production with natural agricultural advantages.
Furthermore, Bengali criticized policies that encourage expanded sugar production through government support. He argued that such measures often transfer public resources to private industrial interests rather than generating sustainable economic benefits.
According to his assessment, rising sugar output should not automatically be viewed as a sign of national progress.
Debate Over Meaning of Development
Bengali also challenged the way development is measured and presented in Pakistan. He argued that growth statistics alone do not provide an accurate picture of economic progress and may sometimes mask deeper structural weaknesses.
In his view, policymakers should focus on defining development through long-term national objectives rather than relying solely on production figures and economic indicators.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s early decades, Bengali said both civilian and military governments operated within a clearer national framework that outlined development priorities and strategic direction. He maintained that this vision contributed to significant economic and institutional progress during that period.
However, he argued that contemporary policymaking lacks a similarly coherent roadmap. Instead, he said, greater emphasis is often placed on distributing resources, incentives, and privileges among influential groups.
As a result, Bengali warned that official statistics may create the impression of rapid development while underlying economic realities tell a different story.
His comments have renewed discussion about agricultural policy, industrial subsidies, and the broader need for a long-term development strategy focused on productivity, efficiency, and sustainable economic growth.
🚨"شوگر کین بنیادی طور پر ساحلی علاقوں کی فصل ہے۔ اس میں موجود سکروز سے چینی بنتی ہے، اور ساحلی علاقوں میں اگنے والے گنے میں سکروز کی مقدار زیادہ ہوتی ہے۔ جوں جوں آپ ساحل سے دور اور شمال کی طرف جاتے ہیں، سکروز کی مقدار کم ہوتی جاتی ہے۔ میری رائے میں پاکستان میں شوگر کین کی کاشت… https://t.co/KZa776UBqC pic.twitter.com/5Wvt3Fq0p0
— Arbaz Raza Bhutta (@ArbazReza01) June 9, 2026
