malafide
\n ISLAMABAD
\nAuditor General of Pakistan (AGP) cites \u201cmalafide\u201d intent, \u201ccompletely unreliable\u201d data, delayed federal-provincial actions and manipulation to benefit private sector at the cost of local farmers and the national treasury as reasons behind Rs300 billion 2023-24 wheat scam.
\nWhile the scandal had already attracted media and public attention, the AGP\u2019s findings now provide official confirmation and new evidence including claims of \u201cmalafide\u201d intent, fake data, and delayed government action. The report confirms that massive over-imports of wheat was done despite surplus stocks.
\nThe AGP found that 3.59 million metric tonnes (MMT) of wheat were imported in 2023-24, far exceeding the approved quota of 2.40 MMT, even though Pakistan recorded its highest-ever local wheat production of 31.47 MMT and carried forward a stock balance of 4.64 MMT.
\nThe report shows the justification for imports as \u201ccompletely unreliable\u201d, hinting at deliberate inflation of national demand estimates.
\nThe audit observes: \u201cThe requirement was presented (seems malafide)\u201d. Key data used to justify imports were riddled with inconsistencies, especially between opening and closing stocks over the years. The AGP noted discrepancies in wheat stock figures presented at official meetings, which were used to make major import decisions.
\n\u201cOverstated\u201d or \u201cunderstated stock\u201d figures led to poor decisions like excessive imports, or delays that created shortages. The report revealed that Punjab and Sindh \u2014 two major wheat producers \u2014 released drastically lower amounts of wheat to flour mills in mid-2023, creating a false sense of shortage that pushed wheat and flour prices up.
\nPunjab\u2019s wheat release between June and October 2023 was just 5,657 tonnes, compared to over two million tonnes in the same period of 2022. A panic was created in the local market, causing an increase in flour prices. Perhaps the most damning revelation is the intentional delay in executing public sector wheat imports through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP).
\nDespite the ECC and federal cabinet approving one MMT of wheat import through TCP, the MNFS&R sat on the file for over a month, finally instructing TCP to withhold procurement altogether \u2014 after private imports had already flooded the market. It is apprehended that the ministries of MNFS&R and Commerce intentionally delayed the process to favour private importers, the AGP report states. \u2014 DNA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
malafide ISLAMABAD Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) cites \u201cmalafide\u201d intent, \u201ccompletely unreliable\u201d data, delayed federal-provincial actions and manipulation to benefit private sector at the cost of local farmers and the national treasury as reasons behind Rs300 billion 2023-24 wheat scam. While the scandal had already attracted media and public attention, the AGP\u2019s findings now provide […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-489234","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n