The initial meeting of an investigative committee, chaired by the cabinet division secretary, concerning the alleged Rs330 billion wheat import scandal, was convened on Sunday. During this session, various aspects of the importation and storage of the wheat stocks were examined.
“When contacted by Dawn, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated, ‘Today, the committee focused on verifying data and documents.'”
In response to inquiries about the potential summoning of former caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, ex-finance minister Shamshad Akhtar, and current Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi (previously CM of Punjab) by the committee, the minister refuted such claims, stating, “No individuals were summoned or interviewed, contrary to media reports.”
Concerning the contents of the inquiry report circulated by the media, the minister clarified, “The report is currently being prepared and has not been presented to anyone.” He also dismissed reports of a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as inaccurate.
Media reports indicated that the investigation had uncovered that between August 2023 and March 2024, wheat valued at Rs330 billion was imported during the caretaker administration, with 1.3 million tonnes found unfit for human consumption due to fungus.
However, the information minister assured that the stocks were “entirely safe and usable.”
According to reports, the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government, led by the PML-N, had delayed its decision regarding wheat import until July 2023.
The report suggested that the last caretaker government imported 2.8 million tonnes of wheat for Rs250 billion, and during the current administration, 700,000 tonnes of wheat valued at Rs80 billion was imported, totaling $1.1 billion expended on the commodity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif committed to “safeguarding farmers’ interests at all costs,” while the federal government appeared hesitant to thoroughly investigate the alleged scandal and take action against those responsible for the imports.
A fact-finding committee, established earlier by PM Shehbaz to uncover irregularities in the wheat importation, is led by Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal. The committee is tasked with investigating the matter, and its findings are expected to be presented to the cabinet next week.
Sources informed Dawn that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged the Shehbaz-led coalition government to take decisive action against those implicated in the alleged scam, disregarding their political influence, and to refer the matter to the NAB or FIA for investigation. However, the Shehbaz government stated on Saturday that no such decision was imminent.
Earlier in the day, there were media reports circulating that Mr. Kakar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had been summoned by the fact-finding committee, prompting the committee head to issue a clarification. Kamran Ali Afzal confirmed that the committee had not summoned Mr. Kakar and Mr. Naqvi, although former caretaker finance minister Shamshad Akhtar reportedly had been summoned.
On Saturday, PM Sharif convened a meeting at his Model Town residence to review matters related to wheat procurement through Passco and formed a committee under the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to address farmers’ concerns within “four days” regarding wheat sales and procurement of 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 for farmers. The PM instructed relevant officials to oversee the wheat procurement process personally and ensure timely payments to farmers.
Sources indicated that this year the country experienced a bumper crop, as anticipated during the last PDM regime. However, due to existing stocks in government storage facilities managed by Passco, the government was hesitant to acquire new crops from farmers at reserved prices, compelling growers to protest and sell their yields at lower prices in the private sector.
The current situation presents a challenge for the government, as it seeks to resolve issues without antagonizing farmers, who now enjoy support from the main opposition PTI.
