19 ‘hoarders’ arrested in Lodhran

The district administration carried out an operation against wheat smugglers and sugar hoarders in the area on Friday. Nineteen suspects were arrested and 2,520 metric tons of wheat was confiscated. The Administration also imposed a fine worth Rs89,500 on the suspects.

Deputy Commissioner Syed Mashhad Raza Kazmi also paid surprise visits to different areas of tehsil Lodhran, including Pul Sikandari, Mujahidabad, Chak 21 MPR, Sakhra chowk and Ash Mor Gailaway to stop wheat hoarding.

Assistant Commissioner Ashraf Saleh, District Food Controller Zaheer Mayo and other officials also present with the DC. The DC also seized 2,351 tons of wheat.

The DC said that 18,100 bags of wheat were taken into government custody while a collective fine worth Rs89,500 was imposed on people hoarding wheat and sugar. He added that these operations will continue until the wheat procurement target set by the caretaker Punjab government is met.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2023.