Wheat purchase faces hurdles

QUETTA: Chief Minister of Balochistan Jam Kamal on Thursday presided over a meeting in Quetta to review food security in Balochistan, directing the department concerned to begin purchasing wheat in Naseerabad Division from April 30 onwards.

Food secretary Noor Muhammad Pirkani briefed the meeting regarding wheat purchase, informing the CM about the provincial Wheat Purchasing Committee.

CM Kamal expressed his concerns over delays in the wheat purchasing process, adding that the provincial government seeks to avert a possible starvation crisis in the wake of the prevailing pandemic.

The Balochistan food department apprised the meeting how the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is causing hurdles in the wheat purchase process, adding that the anti-corruption watchdog has termed it mandatory for farmers to submit the required farming land documentation.

“This condition has been causing hurdles for farmers and should be abrogated,” Pirkani said. The provincial chief executive has directed to make amendments in Wheat Purchase amendment after reaching a consensus with NAB. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2020.