PCB chief could face imprisonment over non-payment of dues to farmers

Islamabad, May 16 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf, who also owns the Ashraf Sugar Mills, could face imprisonment for the non-payment of dues to farmers.

The Cane Commissioner of Punjab, Captain (retd) Usman Younus, has also slapped a notice on Ashraf for non-payment of dues, The Express Tribune reports.

According to the notice, Ashraf Sugar Mills was required to pay an outstanding amount of Rupees 220 million by May 12. In case of non-payment, the chairman could face imprisonment for a year along with a fine of Rs 50,000. ccording to a show cause notice issued earlier, payments had to be cleared by April 24, but a representative of Ashraf Sugar Mills asked time till April 30.

Muhammad Rizwan said payments were delayed as the money of the sugar mill was stuck in the market.

Farmers from Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar districts had complained that outstanding dues of Rs 220 million remained unpaid despite the end of the financial session.

They revealed that they were afraid the outstanding sum would not be paid because the federal government is backing Ashraf. (ANI)