Smuggling, hoarding of tonnes of wheat, sugar foiled

Seized commodities stored at govt centres, sold in markets

LAHORE:

During a crackdown against illegal transportation and hoarding of wheat and sugar across the province, at least 2,649 metric tonnes of wheat have been seized in Lahore division.

During inspections, 128 vehicles were found involved in illegal transportation of wheat.

As per an official announcement, 21 places were raided in the division.

The Kasur district administration foiled the smuggling of 3,225 maunds of wheat. Teams assigned by the district administration conducted operations at Baidian, Kasur, Rao Khanwala, Bhai Pheru and other checkpoints and seized the wheat being transported to other districts.

More than 28,200 bags of wheat were seized from transporters in Nankana Sahib. During the crackdown, 400 sacks were seized from three vehicles bringing wheat without a permit at Tehsil Cantt Jahman checkpoint.

Meanwhile, 263,229 bags of illegally stored sugar have been seized across the province. The seized quantity included 50,494 sacks in Dera Ghazi Khan, 50,039 in Gujranwala, 43,700 in Lahore, 27,530 in Multan, 33,653 in Bahawalpur, 19,049 in Faisalabad, 7,535 in Sargodha, 31,182 in Sahiwal and 47 in Rawalpindi division.

Total fine worth Rs2.274 million was imposed.

The food department in Sahiwal seized 38 tonnes of wheat being transported out of the districts from four places. The wheat was taken to nearby storage centres and a case was registered. So far, 487 tonnes of wheat have been seized in the division, including 392 tonnes in Sahiwal district.

Similarly, 4,122 sacks of illegally stored sugar have been seized since April 1 across the division, of 2,501 sacks had been transported from Okara and 1,621 from Pakpattan district. A fine of Rs485,000 was imposed on those involved in hoarding sugar and three people were arrested. Measures are being taken to stop illegal transportation of wheat at 43 checkpoints established across the division.

In Sialkot district, 4,550 sacks of sugar were seized. A team in Pasrur seized 3,500 bags of sugar, while officials in Sambriyal seized 1,050 bags from a warehouse.

The seized sugar was sold in the markets under the supervision of the officers concerned.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2023.