Senior Food Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has said that strict action is being taken against wheat stockpiling across the province and crackdown is being carried out indiscriminately against the elements involved in this heinous crime.
He added that Punjab Food Department has raided 436 places in different districts where so far 33,130 tonnes of stored wheat has been recovered and seized while action is being taken against the accused, under the law.
In a high level briefing session of the Food Department, Aleem Khan said that for the last two weeks, strict checks are being carried out on the land and river routes of Punjab where smuggling of wheat has been captured with the help of intelligence agencies and Rangers.
He said that these two measures have had a very positive impact on the ongoing wheat procurement drive and Punjab is going to meet the target of wheat procurement ahead of time. The minister said that smuggling and hoarding lead to artificial shortage of wheat which causes to increase in prices and profiteering. He clarified that the violators of the law will be punished at all costs and no leniency will be shown to them.
He said that Punjab would be self-sufficient Insha Allah and not only would meet its requirements but also fulfill the needs of the other provinces. Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan expressed satisfaction over the performance of the Food Department and directed to submit reports on a daily basis regarding activities against wheat hoarding in Punjab.
