ISLAMABAD – A committee assigned to investigate the wheat import scandal recommended action against four officials from the Federal Ministry of National Food Security & Research on Tuesday.
The committee presented the recommendations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The four officials from the Federal Ministry of National Food Security & Research held responsible by the committee are former secretary Muhammad Asif, former Plant Protection director general A.D Abid, Commissioner Dr. Wasim, and Director Sohail.
These current and former officers have been accused of poor planning and negligence.
The sources said that the prime minister accepted the committee’s recommendations which aimed for a thorough and transparent investigation into the scandal.
However, the committee did not suggest and recommend any action against the key figures from the caretaker setup and did not hold anyone accountable for the critical error.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had appointed Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Agha to head the inquiry committee amidst widespread criticism of the government’s failure to launch its wheat procurement campaign.
Earlier this year, the caretakers imported 3.612 million tonnes of wheat from Ukraine to prevent shortages. The decision sparked a major crisis as the wheat harvesting season commenced, forcing farmers to sell their crops at prices significantly lower than the government-set support price of Rs3,900 per 40kg.
Former caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar claimed the issue of importing Rs400 billion worth of grain was exaggerated. He expressed willingness to cooperate with the inquiry if called upon, asserting that there was no corruption involved.
With the wheat procurement drive stalled, farmers took to the streets, protesting what they saw as governmental neglect.
According to the committee’s recommendations, former secretary Muhammad Asif will face official action, while former Plant Protection director general A.D Abid, Food Security Commissioner Dr. Wasim, and Director Sohail will be suspended.
It is estimated that around 60 million farmers have been adversely affected by the unnecessary import of 3.612 million tonnes of wheat.
