Food dept implicated in wheat smuggling

Officials allegedly caught using fake permits to smuggle wheat

BAHAWALNAGAR:

A major wheat smuggling operation carried out by officials of the Food Department and district administration was uncovered on Thursday. Officials were caught allegedly smuggling wheat by using fake permits.

The District Food Controller (DFC) stated that he was unaware of the smuggling operation.

According to details, wheat is being smuggled from Bahawalnagar district to other districts of Punjab. Suspected wheat hoarders are reportedly acting in connivance with the district administration, with checkpoints established by the Food Department at exit points of the district seemingly becoming a source of money making.

Despite having an online system to issue wheat transportation permits, fake permits were still issued from the Deputy Commissioner's office. Officials of the food department recovered the fake permits from an employee of the Education Authority Bahawalnagar identified as Shamsul Haq, who was posted at the DC's Office.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2023.