The Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) has urged the government to take immediate action for the release of over Rs. 6.5 billion owed by the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) to ghee and cooking oil producers.
According to the association, these payments have been stuck for more than a year, putting tremendous financial strain on manufacturers who are already grappling with rising costs and volatile global markets. The prolonged delay, they said, has disrupted day-to-day business operations, delayed supplier payments, and hindered the import of vital raw materials.
PVMA Chairman Sheikh Umer Rehan warned that if the dues are not cleared soon, the industry could face a serious production slowdown potentially causing shortages of ghee and cooking oil across the country.
He explained that manufacturers are already under pressure due to high production expenses, currency depreciation, and instability in international edible oil prices. “The situation has become unsustainable,” Rehan cautioned, calling on Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Adviser Haroon Akhtar Khan to personally intervene and resolve the matter without further delay.
“The government’s timely support is crucial to keep the edible oil sector running smoothly,” he said. “Any further delay will not only hurt producers but also threaten food security, jobs, and investor confidence in one of the country’s key industries.”
The association stressed that clearing these pending dues would go a long way in stabilizing the market, restoring trust between industry and government, and ensuring a consistent supply of essential household commodities for consumers nationwide.
