Food officials suspended over 'collusion' with wheat hoarders
Sindh Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman has suspended five Food Department officials from Khairpur after an inquiry uncovered alleged collusion with wheat hoarders during the province-wide crackdown against illegal stockpiling.
The action was taken in light of a detailed inquiry report submitted by the Sukkur commissioner, which accused the officials of allegedly leaking confidential information about planned raids, colluding with hoarders and obstructing government operations.
The suspended officials include Food Supervisors Shafaat Baloch (Nara), Nadeem Ahmed Sheikh (Gambat), Khalil Ahmed Memon (Gambat), Naseer Ahmed Memon (Gambat), and Food Inspector Waheed Ahmed Sheikh (Kot Diji). During the suspension period, all five have been directed to report to the office of the Director Food Sindh in Karachi, where departmental proceedings will be conducted.
According to the inquiry report, intelligence-based information revealed that wheat stockpiles previously identified in Abul Wah Chowk, Gambat, had allegedly been shifted over the past two days to warehouses owned or controlled by influential individuals to evade official action.
The report further alleged that some Food Department officials warned wheat traders in advance about planned raids, allowing them to relocate illegally stored wheat before inspection teams arrived. If proven, the report said, such actions would amount to misuse of official authority and sabotage of the government's anti-hoarding campaign.
It also alleged that a food inspector disclosed the identities of Intelligence Branch personnel to traders, compromising sensitive enforcement operations and exposing officials involved in the raids.
The inquiry further stated that despite repeated requests, officials failed to provide adequate support in shifting seized wheat to government warehouses, slowing the anti-hoarding campaign. It also noted that effective legal action, including searches and seizures, was not carried out against some traders who allegedly locked their warehouses and fled.
The food minister said the Sindh government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and misconduct, adding that no official found working against the public interest would be spared.
He said the government's priority was to ensure the availability of flour at affordable prices, eliminate artificial shortages and continue indiscriminate action against wheat hoarders and those facilitating them.
Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman directed commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners and Food Department officials to perform their duties with integrity, transparency and professionalism, warning that negligence, collusion or disclosure of confidential government information would not be tolerated.
He reiterated that the government would continue taking action not only against those involved in wheat hoarding and profiteering but also against public officials found assisting them.