ISLAMABAD
Wheat import scandal has implicated new government as PM Shehbaz Sharif was kept ignorant about the facts and the wheat import continued in the time of present government in the light of care taker government decision while over 16 lac tonnes wheat was available in Pakistan in 2023. .
It has come to light that over 6 lac tonnes wheat has been imported by Shehbaz led present government despite availability of surplus stock of wheat in the country.
On the arrival of Shehbaz government in corridor of powers carry forward stock of 113529 tonnes wheat was available. Despite this fact over 6 lac tonnes wheat was imported during the time of new government.
Government sources told Online that former secretary Capt (Retd) Asif Mehmood kept PM ignorant of the facts. The import of additional wheat continued during the present government under the decision of care taker government.
As per documents finance ministry allowed to import 5 lac metric tonnes wheat through private sector on September 27, 2023. When wheat was imported the value of dollar stood at Rs 305. The imported wheat cost Rs 92.820 per kilogram to Pakistan.
All the phases of the decisions made for importing wheat by care taker government are mentioned in the documents.
Former secretary food security Muhammad Mehmood sent summary for importing wheat to care taker PM Anwar ul Haq Kakar to ensure strategic reserves of wheat.
Former PM Anwar Ul Haq Kakar accorded formal approval to import 5 lac metric tonnes wheat on September 4, 2023. At that time in charge minister was minister of national food security too. The option for review of summary was also kept in the permission order as and when need arises.
It was told in the documents 75 percent target of procuring wheat from provinces was achieved in last year from the provinces. Mention of wheat and flour in big cities on October 5, 2023 is made in documents.
The documents include the price of imported wheat, its rates in international market and details of its expenses in Pakistan.
The summaries of commerce ministry and ministry of national food security have been made the part of record.
The target of wheat production in all the four provinces was set 28.18 million metric tonnes wheat during 2023.
It was proved in the documents that 1630000 metric tonnes wheat was available in Pakistan in 2022 as carry forward.
According to documents during the year 2023-24, wheat quota of 175000 metric tonnes was allocated for Pakistan army, 10500 metric tonnes for Pakistan Air Force and 2500 metric tonnes for Pakistan Navy.
1400000 metric tonnes quota was allocated for KP,. 2 lac for Gilgit-Balstistan and 3 lac for AJK. 4 lac tonnes was given to utility stores and 244810 metric tonnes quota was provided to others.
Overall 2732810 metric tonnes quota was allocated for the institutions and provincial governments.
PM directs secretary cabinet to put final report till Monday regarding inquiry into wheat import scandal
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has ordered for complete transparent investigation into wheat import scandal.
Secretary cabinet Kamran Ali Afzal head of team investigating into wheat import scandal called on PM and discussed the matter with him.
He also informed PM about the hindrances on the way to the investigation.
PM directed secretary cabinet to hold transparent investigation into what import scandal.
PM directed cabinet secretary to work out recommendations putting before him available record and documents besides submitting final report till Monday.
During the meeting PM directed that responsibility be fixed and he should be informed thereof. We will put before the nation every thing.
