Embezzled funds in flour scheme ‘more than Rs20b’

A day after the federal government asked Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader to bring forth evidence of corruption, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has claimed that his initial estimate of embezzled funds of Rs20 billion in the free wheat flour distribution programme is in fact undervalued.

Talking to a private news channel, Abbasi said no government was responsible for the alleged corruption but the system.

Last week, Abbasi had alleged that Rs20 billion was looted during the free wheat flour distribution programme.

He had said, “Recently, Rs84 billion worth of free flour was distributed. I am sorry to say that approximately Rs20 billion was looted. Look at it any way you want. What has the poor man gotten for whom you spent Rs84 billion?”

Abbasi had said it was impossible to deliver on promises within the current system of governance, calling for it to be redefined.

He called for changing the whole system. “It has become so corrupt that it cannot deliver, whether at the Centre or in the provinces.”

“There is more than 30 per cent corruption in the Punjab Food Department. This is not from today. I has been from day one when the department was formed.”