The distributed wheat was procured by the KP caretaker government in 2023, Zahir Shah Toru claimed.
DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister for food Zahir Shah Toru has strongly criticized Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader and federal minister Engineer Amir Muqam for making “false allegations” against the PTI led provincial government.
Addressing a press conference at the Civil Secretariat Peshawar here on Saturday, Toru dismissed the accusations against Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and himself as baseless, alleging that Federal Minister Muqam was attempting to divert attention from his own misdeeds.
He went on to brand Amir Muqam as the “uncrowned king of corruption,” accusing him of amassing wealth through “dishonest means”. “Everyone knows who the real liar and thief is,” Toru alleged.
On the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), Toru denounced it as a “black law” aimed at suppressing free speech. However, he argued that if enforced, it should first be applied against Amir Muqam for spreading false accusations.
He announced that the provincial government would initiate legal proceedings against the federal minister Engineer Amir Muqam under PECA.
Providing an update on the province’s wheat supply, the minister assured that the KP government had begun releasing 77,000 metric tons of imported wheat to flour mills, with 40,000 metric tons already distributed.
The remaining stock, he said, would be released after laboratory tests to ensure quality, with full distribution completed by March 30.
Toru clarified that the wheat being distributed was purchased by the previous caretaker government from the federal government in 2023. He claimed KP’s wheat shortage, noting that while the province produces 1.4 million metric tons annually, its total demand stands at 5 million metric tons.
To bridge this gap, 3.6 million metric tons are imported from Punjab, other provinces, and international markets through the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO).
He further disclosed that the KP government has procured 208,000 metric tons of high-quality wheat from local farmers this year, adding that transparency in the procurement process has been ensured.
“If my party no longer requires my services, I am willing to step down,” he stated. “I stand by my record and am ready for accountability at any time. If anyone has evidence against me, they should come forward,” he stated.
Responding to a query about the Provincial Accountability Committee, Toru reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability, aligning his approach with Imran Khan’s vision.
