K-P procures ‘quality wheat directly from farmers’

Ministers says nine officials suspended for corruption

PESHAWAR:

For the first time in the history of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the provincial government procured high-quality wheat directly from farmers without compromising on quality or quantity, provincial Food Minister Zahir Shah Toru said on Thursday

Jointly presiding over a meeting with Adviser to Chief Minister on Information Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif, on the completion of the wheat procurement target, Toru stated that an uncompromising approach had agitated the corrupt elements.

The meeting was attended by Food Secretary Zarif Al-Maani, Food Director Yasir Hassan, and other relevant officials. The secretary informed the meeting that the Food Department had introduced an online application to ensure transparency and efficiency in the wheat procurement.

Local farmers and those from other provinces were registered through this app, while wheat was procured on the first-come-first-served basis. The meeting was further informed that the online app recorded procurement entry of 1.8 million metric tons of wheat against a target of 300,000 metric tons.

The food secretary pointed out that 22 procurement centers were monitored through CCTV cameras across the province and a five-member committee was formed to assess the quality of wheat. He added that nine officers had been suspended for violating rules and regulations.

This committee included representatives of the district and assistant food controllers, district administration, agriculture and revenue departments, flour mills association, as well as observers from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE).

Toru commended the successful procurement, stating that the campaign enhanced food security and economic activities in K-P. He directed the relevant officials to develop a procurement strategy based on this year’s campaign to ensure a comprehensive plan for future wheat purchase.

Dr Saif, on the occasion, appreciated the efforts of Toru and the Food Department for completing the wheat procurement process transparently. He noted that due to wheat procurement, prices of wheat and flour had dropped, benefiting the underprivileged.

He said that the Punjab oppressed its farmers, but the K-P government provided them economic support. He accused the federal and Punjab governments of orchestrating a propaganda campaign against the K-P’s procurement. He pledged impartial action if anyone was involved in corruption