ISLAMABAD: The committee tasked with investigating the wheat import issue clarified that it has not summoned any government or political officials for questioning. Chaired by the cabinet division secretary, the committee held its inaugural meeting to review pertinent documents and statistics.
In a notification released on Sunday, it was emphasized that the inquiry committee had not met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Additionally, while the committee’s report is nearing completion, no preliminary findings have been disclosed.
This clarification follows speculation that former caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, ex-finance minister ShamÂshad Akhtar, and former chief minister Mohsin Naqvi might be called for questioning. Kakar himself stated his willingness to participate in the investigation if summoned.
The committee, under the leadership of Cabinet Division Secretary Kamran Afzal, was established by PM Shehbaz to determine accountability for the excessive wheat imports and unauthorized LC openings post-February.
During March, the private sector was permitted to import 6.91 million metric tonnes of wheat, valued at Rs57.192 billion. Kakar defended his tenure, stating no new legislation was introduced for wheat import, and that the government merely encouraged private sector involvement.
The federal government faces challenges as provincial governments struggle to purchase wheat from farmers due to surplus stocks, allegedly stemming from over-importation. This oversupply has led to a decrease in wheat prices, raising concerns for farmers.
According to sources, the Ministry of National Food Security informed PM Shehbaz’s cabinet that last year, 28.18 million tonnes of wheat were produced, prompting the caretaker government to import an additional 2.45 million tonnes, resulting in a purported loss exceeding Rs300 billion to the national exchequer.
