'Flood-damaged' wheat supplied to flour mills

Rs300m recovery case linked to supply of contaminated wheat

KHANEWAL:

Allegations have surfaced against the Food Department in Khanewal for allegedly supplying nearly 100,000 kilogrammes of flood-damaged and hazardous wheat to flour mills, which was later distributed to the public after being mixed with clean stock.

Sources said the wheat was reportedly dispatched from the Sardar Pur Food Centre to local flour mills despite being declared unfit for human consumption.

Additionally, around 18,000 bags of allegedly rotten wheat lying at Kot Islam and other centres have reportedly begun being supplied to flour mills in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala and Sialkot.

The issue first came to light last year when Express News highlighted the presence of spoiled wheat at multiple food centres, including Kot Islam, Sardar Pur and Bhatta Kot.

Following the reports, an inquiry was initiated. Subsequently, the Secretary Food Punjab and Director General Food Punjab were transferred, while then District Food Controller Khanewal, Sufyan Ahmed Awan, and Food Inspector Qasim Raan were booked in a corruption case.

A recovery of Rs300 million was also initiated against them, and proceedings are ongoing in the Anti-Corruption Establishment. Both officials are reportedly absconding.

Sources allege that during last year's floods, damaged wheat was not shifted to safe storage despite warnings, allegedly to complicate the ongoing departmental inquiry.

After renewed media coverage, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered action over what was described as serious negligence.