ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday ordered the dismissal of four officials of the Ministry of National Food Security after they were charged with ‘poor planning’ and ‘negligence’ by an inquiry committee tasked with investigating the wheat import scandal.
The premier also approved action against the former Federal Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security, Muhammad Asif.
The suspended officers include the former Director General of Plant Protection, AD Abid, Food Security Commissioner Dr. Wasim, Director Sohail, and Punjab Director of Food Security, Imtiaz Gopang.
This decision follows the recommendations of the inquiry committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and led by Secretary Cabinet Division, Kamran Ali Afzal, to probe the wheat scandal.
The Wheat Import Scandal:
Pakistan’s wheat sector has become embroiled in controversy with the recent import of 3.4 million metric tons of wheat by the caretaker government, leading to widespread outrage and allegations of corruption.
Despite a surplus of wheat domestically, the import deal has resulted in a staggering loss of over Rs300 billion to the national exchequer, raising concerns about the government’s decision-making process and accountability.
The crisis has severely impacted Pakistan’s farming community, with wheat farmers experiencing significant losses due to the government’s decision to import wheat at a higher price than the prevailing market rate. This has flooded the market with wheat, causing prices to plummet and leaving farmers struggling to sell their produce at fair prices.
The opposition and farming communities have criticized the government’s decision, labeling it a “wheat scam” and demanding an immediate inquiry. There are suspicions of corruption and cronyism, with questions raised about whose interests the government is serving.
