The Sindh government on Friday decided to seal its border with Balochistan, in a bid to stop wheat smuggling from the province. In this context, Sindh’s Food department has requested the Interior ministry in written for the closure of the border under Food Act. The decision was taken after the approval of the Sindh cabinet. According to the, Sindh Food department, a mafia is active to smuggle the wheat of the province, which cannot be allowed. The Sindh government has fixed 1.4 million tons of wheat procurement target for the current crop. The Sindh Food department has issued stern directives for the regional deputy directors, district food controllers and other concerned staff to meet the target. The procurement of wheat started from March 26 and so far 40 per cent of the target has been achieved. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah not happy with the performance of the department so far. Last month, District administration Ghotki foiled a bid to smuggle wheat from Sindh to Punjab and confiscated 20 loaded trawlers of wheat from Obaro.Report said the Deputy Commissioner Ghotki Lt. (retd) Muhammad Khalid Saleem on tip-off of smuggling wheat from Sindh to Punjab, ordered MukhtiarkarObaro to take action. The MukhtiarkarObaro along with the police foiled the attempt to smuggle wheat from Sindh to Punjab and confiscated 20 loaded containers at Obaro.The district food officer Ghotki said the impounded wheat was shifted to Sindh Food department’s godowns, saying the wheat was being sent to Punjab illegally. He said cases would be registered against the drivers and the police would investigate from where the containers were loaded.
