Shehbaz orders probe into wheat import

ISLAMABAD: Chairing a high-level meeting on the issue of existing wheat stock and further procurement, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Thursday constituted an inquiry committee to probe into the reasons for wheat import.

The committee is headed by Secretary Cabinet Kamran Afzal.

Shehbaz said it needed to be inquired why the decision to import wheat was taken despite a bumper wheat crop, last year.

He inquired the Ministry of National Food Security about the wheat import last year, a statement issued by the PM media wing said. The prime minister noted that there was a bumper wheat crop in the country, this year.

He directed the officials concerned to take all possible measures for procurement of wheat from the farmers without delay.

Federal Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Rana Tanvir Hussain, Muhammad Aurengzeb, Jam Kamal Khan, Coordinator to Prime Minister, Rana Ehsan Afzal and senior officials attended the meeting.

According to statistics, a total of 34 lac, 49 thousand and 436 metric tons of wheat worth Rs282.975 billion was imported during the caretaker government’s tenure and Shehbaz-led government during the ongoing fiscal year till March.

The caretaker government allowed the import of 27 lac, 58 thousand and 226 metric ton wheat worth Rs225.783 billion till February, this year.

During the single month of March of Shehbaz-led government, six lac, 91 thousand and 136 metric tons of wheat of worth Rs57.192 billion was imported.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has removed Federal Secretary National Food Security and Research Division Captain (R) Muhammad Asif from his post on the issue of wheat import during caretaker government.

Captain (R) Muhammad Asif is a Grade 21 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service. He has been made OSD.

Dr. Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan, a Grade 22 officer of Pakistan Administrative Service, has been appointed as the new Federal Secretary, National Food Security and Research Division.

Dr. Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan was awaiting appointment in the Establishment Division these days.