Inquiry against damage to Rs4bn wheat: PM’s inspection body unable to record statement of Passco’s ex-MD

ISLAMABAD: Despite issuing several notices of in-person hearings, the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission (PMIC) was unable to record the statement of former Managing Director, Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation (Passco), Capt (R) Saeed Ahmad Nawaz, to determine the causes of damage to over 52,670 MT of wheat stocks valued at over Rs4 billion.

The ex-MD Saeed Ahmad has not been responding to the questions provided to him or showing up on the scheduled hearing dates.

As per PASSCO figures, presented to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Food Security, wheat stocks worth Rs4 billion had been damaged in the floods in Sindh and Balochistan due to torrential rains in July and August 2022. The then prime minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered an inquiry to determine the causes and losses of damage to huge wheat stocks at Passco in October 2022. The PM’s inspection team visited the Passco godowns in affected areas and presented a report to the PMIC. The PMIC, governed by Martial Law Ordinance Number 58 of 1978, is responsible for conducting inquiries on federal government institutions and employees, recommending suspensions of individuals under inquiry, and having the power to try suits under the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 (Act V) regarding evidence, document production, and witness examination. As per the PMIC notices, first the hearing was scheduled for November 13, 2023, then again on December 4, 2023, and the latest hearing was scheduled for February 27, 2024. Fresh notices were issued after the lapse of every notice, but Saeed Ahmad has not appeared to date.

Even after that final notice, the PMIC again issued another notice on February 22, 2024, asking him to appear on February 27, 2024, but he did not turn up before the team. When contacted Director PM Inspection Commission, Saleh Narejo said the proceedings of the inquiry on wheat damages during floods is undergoing. It was initiated on the directions of the prime minister. “As the inquiry is still in progress therefore, I am unable to comment on the content of the inquiry or any other matter related to it,” he said.

The News contacted former MD PASSCO Saeed Ahmed Nawaz for his version but he did not attend this scribe’s call despite repeated attempts.