The Trading Corporation of Pakistan imported sugar through State Trading Corporation of India (STC) at a time when the country was facing sugar scarcity, reliable sources here said.

Total Indian sugar export to Pakistan during 1996-97 was 2.32 lakh tonnes worth Rs 308 crore, according to official figures available here.

In 1997-98 it imported more than one lakh tonnes of sugar worth Rs 128 crores from India.

When contacted the STC spokesman in New Delhi said ``The matter was taken up with appropriate authorities at different levels at that time.''

``An amount had been deducted (by Pakistan) as penalty after the contracted delivery period,'' the spokesman said without specifying the amount.

Pakistan authorities have maintained that they would not pay the money to India saying the shipment had reached the country after theexpiry of the letter of credit for the said consignment.