Inquiry into ‘unnecessary’ wheat purchase

FPSC Member Mian Mushtaq to investigate interim govt’s move

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has authorized an investigation into the purportedly unnecessary wheat purchases made during the caretaker government's tenure. Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) Member Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed, known as Mian Mushtaq in bureaucratic circles, will oversee the inquiry, with a report due to be submitted to the Prime Minister upon its completion.

In a parallel move, the government has proposed appointing Mian Mushtaq as the new FPSC chairman to fill the vacant position. With 13 months remaining in his tenure, Mushtaq brings extensive experience as a retired Pakistan Administrative Service grade 22 officer, having previously served in various capacities, including additional chief secretary of the Punjab government's Communication and Works Department.

Meanwhile, National Food Security and Research Minister Rana Tanveer disclosed an ongoing inquiry into the caretaker government's decision to import wheat despite projections of a bumper local crop yield.

Read more: Wheat policy sparks heated debate

In response to queries from lawmakers in the National Assembly, particularly regarding the agricultural sector, the minister expressed willingness to establish a parliamentary committee to scrutinize the legitimacy of the wheat import decision during the interim government's tenure.

Amid an expected plentiful wheat harvest this year, the grower community, especially small farmers, are in a fix due to fluctuating wheat price and market exploitation.

As wheat harvesting begins across Punjab, representatives of farmer groups have raised concerns about their manipulation by hoarders and middlemen.

To pacify the complaining farmers, PM Shehbaz recently increased the federal government's wheat procurement target from 1.4 million metric tons to 1.8 million metric tons.

He also ordered the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) to enhance its wheat procurement target and ensure that it was immediately purchased from the farmers.