Wheat import scandal: Inquiry committee to submit report to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today

An inquiry committee probing a wheat import scandal will submit its report to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today (Monday) as farmers and an opposition alliance gear up for nationwide protest rallies against an inordinate delay in grain purchases.

Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal is in charge of the four-person probe committee, which was established on May 2.

The committee on Sunday worked on verifying various documents and dates and did not summon anyone for inquiry. “Preparation of the report is currently underway,” said one of the sources.

The PM established the committee after discovering that, despite the nation’s existing stockpile of over 113,000 tons of wheat, over 600,000 tons of wheat were imported in the first two months of the current administration.

Sources claim that the import of wheat was decided upon during the previous caretaker administration’s term, and that importation proceeded even after the PML-N government assumed power.

On Saturday, the committee denied reports of summoning former caretaker premier Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who served as interim Punjab chief minister in the caretaker setup.

After conducting its investigation, the inquiry committee may decide to refer the case to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) or the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for additional action, according to some sources.

On Saturday, the government intervened to resolve farmers’ complaints regarding grain purchases.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established a committee under the Ministry of National Food Security to resolve farmers’ problems within four days after observing their challenges in selling their wheat and acquiring gunny sacks for their crops.

Farmers’ worries have not been alleviated by these actions, though. A protest movement against the Punjab government’s wheat procurement policy and the alleged multi-million dollar wheat import fraud from Multan on May 10 was declared on Sunday by the Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI).

Simultaneously, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) set a deadline of May 6 for the government to address farmers’ demands regarding wheat procurement at the official support price. The JI workers have already demonstrated solidarity with farmers across various Punjab and Sindh districts.

The opposition alliance has intensified efforts to launch a nationwide anti-government movement to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. Plans for the movement’s initiation in the upcoming weeks indicate growing discontent and political unrest within the country in May.

Read More: Wheat import scandal: Statistical report presented to inquiry committee