Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intensified pressure on the government on Monday, demanding a judicial commission to investigate the wheat scandal that allegedly drained billions of rupees from the country's economy.
Over 600,000 tonnes of wheat were imported during the first two months of the incumbent government, despite the country already having a stockpile of over 113,000 tonnes of wheat.
According to sources, the decision to import wheat was made during the last caretaker government's tenure, and the import process continued after the PML-N government took office.
During a news conference today, PTI senior leader Sheikh Waqas Akram criticised the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) regime and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for causing an estimated Rs300 billion loss to the national treasury through excessive wheat imports.
According to Akram, the PDM regime approved the summary for unnecessary wheat imports, imposing a financial burden on farmers. He contended that the incumbent government is mismanaging the country's wheat reserves, leading to a crisis that primarily benefits middlemen.
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Other PTI leaders, including Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan, Sahibzada Ameer Sultan, Khwaja Sheraz Mehmood, and Mian Ghous Muhammad, joined Akram in condemning the government's handling of wheat procurement.
They asserted that the government's negligence and alleged corruption are responsible for economic hardships faced by farmers, leading to lower prices for their crops.
Bhachar announced that farmers plan to stage massive protests starting May 12, with PTI's full support. He argued that the government must take immediate action to stabilise the wheat market and pay farmers fair prices for their crops, instead of engaging in a blame game to deflect responsibility.
Sahibzada Mehboob praised the Taliban-run government in Afghanistan for prioritising the agricultural sector, highlighting the construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal to boost farming.
He criticised the current Pakistani administration for its alleged lack of commitment to farmers, urging a judicial inquiry into the wheat scandal to hold those responsible accountable.
The PTI leaders emphasised that the government's failure to secure adequate prices for wheat is driving many farmers into financial distress, jeopardising food security in the long run.
They urged a thorough and transparent investigation, warning that farmers might take to the streets if their grievances remain unaddressed.
The PTI leaders also claimed that the incumbent government is benefiting a small elite group of landlords and sugar mafia, thereby worsening the plight of the nation's farmers.
On Saturday, the inquiry committee —formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after learning about the issue — denied reports of summoning former caretaker premier Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who served as interim Punjab chief minister in the caretaker setup.
Some sources suggest the committee is considering handing over the matter to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) or the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further action upon completing its probe.
The government took action on Saturday to address farmers' grievances over grain purchases.
Upon noticing farmers' difficulties in selling their wheat and obtaining gunny bags for their crops, PM Shehbaz formed a committee under the Ministry of National Food Security to address their concerns within four days.
However, these measures have not alleviated farmers' concerns. The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) announced on Sunday the commencement of a protest movement against the Punjab government's wheat procurement strategy and the alleged multi-million-dollar wheat import scandal from Multan on May 10.
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