PM orders further action against wheat scandal accused

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday ordered further action against officials suspected to be involved in the wheat import scandal. Official sources said the prime minister had appointed Secretary Commerce Muhammad Saleh Ahmad Farooqi as the inquiry officer to further grill four suspended officials under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules. In the light of the report by the committee headed by Secretary Cabinet Kamran Afzal, the prime minister had ordered suspension of four officials working in the Ministry of National Food Security. They include former director general plant protection AD Abid, Food Security Commissioner Dr Wasim, Director Sohail and Punjab Director Food Security Imtiaz Gopang. The government also ordered action against former additional secretary (in-charge) National Food Security Captain (retd) Muhammad Asif, who was removed from the post earlier this month. The caretaker regime had allowed the import of 2,758,226,226 metric tonnes of wheat worth Rs225.783 billion till February 2024. Later, the incumbent government also permitted import of wheat worth Rs57 billion in March, 2024.

Meanwhile, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi Thursday said that in his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif he had sought an increase of 25 percent in the salaries of government employees. “In a meeting with the prime minister, I demanded allocation of budget for the Chashma Lift Canal, and the prime minister has promised to keep funds in this regard in the upcoming budget,” he said during a press conference here. Kundi called on the prime minister to discuss the matters related to the KP and the overall political situation. Commerce Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and Adviser to PM on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also attended the meeting.

Talking to the media, the KP governor said the highest property tax was collected from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and demanded the prime minister to reduce it. He said he also demanded that Sukkur Airport and Dera Ismail Khan Airport be given international status.

Kundi reiterated his offer to the KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to work jointly for the welfare of people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saying he was ready to meet him anywhere and anytime. “I am aware of the chief minister’s compulsion. If he is feeling shame to come to the Governor House, then I am ready to go to meet him wherever he wants for the sake of our province,” he said.

“Even today, I invited the KP chief minister that the governor’s house is not mine. Let’s work together for our province. If you are feeling hesitation, then you call me. I will come to talk wherever you want for the sake of the people of my province.”

The KP governor said Gandapur was also from his area and he was aware of the constraints of the chief minister. He said media friends should visit KP and show the people the positive things there. “We have many problems and we have to make a peaceful Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

Replying to a question, Kundi said he had met with the political leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and he assured them that there would never be any conspiracy from the Governor’s House. “The KP chief minister should stop talking about imposing the governor’s rule,” he said, adding that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was facing problems and the chief minister should work together with the federal government for their resolution.

Replying to another question, he said JUIF chief Fazlur Rehman was his elder, adding whenever he invited him, he will meet him.

Kundi also met with Acting President Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and congratulated him on the victory of his son Ali Qasim Gilani from NA-148.