Wheat Scandal: Revelation of Wheat Imports Worth Rs. 98.51 Billion Even After New Government
Sources claim that over Rs. 200 billion worth of wheat imports were made during the current caretaker government’s tenure.
ISLAMABAD: After the new government took office following the February 8 elections, it has been revealed that wheat imports worth Rs. 98.51 billion were made. Despite carrying over a carry-forward stock of wheat exceeding 613,000 tons, more wheat was imported. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was kept uninformed about the wheat imports, leading to the removal of the Food Security Secretary from his position.
According to sources, wheat imports were continued under the current government in accordance with decisions made by the previous administration. The Ministry of Finance rejected the summary to import wheat through TCP and permitted private sector imports of 500,000 metric tons of wheat at a rate of Rs. 93.82 per kilogram.
It was previously noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of 691,000 metric tons of wheat imports in the first month of the government and ordered an investigation into wheat imports after February 2024, directing the identification of those responsible for continuing wheat imports and opening LCs.
Sources claim that over Rs. 200 billion worth of wheat imports were made during the current caretaker government’s tenure.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the head of the committee investigating the wheat scandal, Kamran Ali Afzal, to submit the final report by Monday.
Read more: PM Shehbaz orders transparent probe into wheat import scandal
On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif has also demanded an explanation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the wheat scandal by Monday.
Kakar-Abbasi spat
Earlier in the day, reports were making rounds in the media that Mr Kakar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had been summoned by the fact-finding committee, prompting the committee head to issue a clarifying statement. Kamran Ali Afzal said the committee had not summoned Mr Kakar and Mr Naqvi. However, former caretaker finance minister Shamshad Akhtar has reportedly been summoned by the committee.
The ex-caretaker premier also had an argument with a PML-N leader, Hanif Abbasi, over the wheat scandal. Mr Abbasi reportedly chided Mr Kakar for the wheat scam while the latter said if he spoke about the ‘Form-47s’ the PML-N leaders would not be in a position to appear in the public.
The PTI also jumped the bandwagon and sought a judicial commission to transparently probe the wheat scandal in light of a spat between Mr Kakar and Hanif Abbasi.
Meanwhile, a PTI spokesperson said that Mr Kakar and Mr Abbasi’s revelations were an “eye-opener”, which raised many important questions that needed to be probed. It sought a probe into the wheat scandal and alleged theft of public mandate.
Shehbaz for farmers
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged to “protect the interest of farmers at any cost.”
Presiding over a meeting at his residence in Model Town on Saturday to review the matters of wheat procurement through Passco, the premier formed a committee under the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to address farmers’ grievances in “four days” regarding selling their wheat and obtaining wheat bags.
According to a PM House statement, the federal government, through Passco, is procuring 1.8 million tonnes of wheat to ensure maximum benefit to farmers. The prime minister directed the officials concerned to personally monitor the wheat procurement process and ensure that farmers receive their due payments on time.
“The government will not compromise on the economic protection of farmers and will take all necessary steps to ensure their well-being,” the PM said and expressed his “delight” over the bumper wheat crop this year. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Attaullah Tarar and Rana Tanvir Hussain, and other relevant officials.
