Letter unveils case of erroneous suspension

Officer suspended over wheat scandal denies involvement

ISLAMABAD:

In a significant development in the wheat import scandal investigation, questions have been raised about the decisions made by the federal government. One of the suspended officials, Dr Syed Waseem-ul-Hasan, had no involvement with wheat crop matters.

Dr Hasan, who was the food commissioner I, was suspended based on committee recommendations. He has written a letter to the federal government detailing these issues, stating that his suspension has severely impacted his 31-year career and has adversely affected his health due to a heart condition.

A major error has been discovered in the suspension letter issued by the federal government. Dr Hasan is serving as food commissioner I in the Food Security Division, but the Establishment Division's suspension letter mistakenly listed his position as food commissioner II.

The responsibilities of food commissioner II include overseeing the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) and wheat affairs, while Food Commissioner I handles minor crops like rice, lentils, etc.

During the wheat import case, Syed Waseem-ul-Hasan was designated as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Ministry of Food and Security.

He was appointed OSD on October 12, 2023, and reappointed as Food Commissioner I on March 19, 2024. As Food Commissioner I, Dr Hasan had no connection with wheat crop affairs.

Dr Hasan has written to the federal government requesting the revocation of his suspension. In his letter, he mentioned that the suspension letter erroneously referred to him as food commissioner II.

His responsibilities as Food Commissioner I included minor crops like pulses and vegetables, and he had no involvement with wheat import matters. He further stated in his letter that he was not consulted on matters related to wheat import. His suspension has not only damaged his long-standing career but has also seriously affected his health due to his heart condition.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a committee upon learning that over 600,000 tons of wheat were imported during the first two months of the incumbent government, despite the country already having a stockpile of over 113,000 tons 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.