ISLAMABAD – In its conclusions delivered to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the inquiry committee set up to probe the wheat import fraud has recommended action against four personnel from the Federal Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
According to sources, the premier has approved the proposals of the committee appointed to conduct a full and transparent inquiry into the wheat import scam.
Not surprisingly, the inquiry committee did not recommend action against any of the caretaker’s key officers/officials, nor did it identify anyone responsible for the tragic error.
The Prime Minister had selected Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Agha to oversee the probe group, after widespread outrage over the government’s failure to launch its wheat buying effort.
Earlier this year, caretakers imported 3.612 million tonnes of wheat from Ukraine in anticipation of a shortage. The action had triggered a full-fledged crisis in the country as the wheat crop harvesting season began, forcing farmers to sell their crops significantly below the government-set support price of Rs3,900/40 kg.
Former interim prime minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar remarked that the issue of importing Rs400 billion worth of grain had been blown out of proportion. He had stated a willingness to help with the inquiry committee if summoned, claiming that there was no wrongdoing involved.
Because the wheat procurement drive did not begin, farmers were forced to take to the streets to protest what they saw as government indifference to their suffering.
The inquiry committee has found four officers of the Federal Ministry of National Food Security & Research liable for the crisis: former secretary Muhammad Asif, former Plant Protection director general A.D Abid, Commissioner Dr Wasim, and Director Sohail.
Both former and current officials have been charged with poor planning and negligence.
According to the inquiry committee’s findings, former Secretary Muhammad Asif will face official punishment, while former Plant Protection Director General A.D Abid, Food Security Commissioner Dr Wasim, and Director Sohail will be suspended.
According to estimates, the unwelcome wheat influx of 3.612 million tonnes has damaged almost 60 million farmers.
