Facilitating smuggling, hoarding of wheat, other items: Sindh Food Department takes action against 12 officers

KARACHI: In a bid to combat the smuggling and hoarding of essential commodities, including wheat, sugar, and fertilizer, the Food Department of Sindh has taken decisive action against alleged complicit officers within its ranks.

Following allegations implicating twelve officers of the department in facilitating such illicit activities, the Department has issued show-cause notices, demanding explanations within seven days.

Earlier, the Ministry of Interior, after identifying over 300 individuals involved in the smuggling and hoarding operations, specifically pinpointed these twelve officers as facilitators in the nefarious activities. This directive from the Ministry of Interior urged the Sindh government to take stringent measures against those implicated.

The notices were served to a list of officers, including Food Supervisors Noman Qureshi and Mohammad Ali Magsi, alongside Food Inspectors Murad Ali Lond, Imdad Hussain Magsi, and Nabi Bakhsh Leghari.

Additionally, Deputy Director Maqsood Ghamro, District Food Controller Altaf Magsi, In-charge Warehouse Ghulam Ishaq Magsi, In-charge Warehouse Wasim Ahmad, and Mast Ali Dahar have been summoned to clarify their positions; failure to provide satisfactory explanations within the stipulated timeframe may result in disciplinary action being taken against these officers.

However, while the Sindh government has swiftly moved to address concerns within its department, there remains a glaring gap in accountability regarding the main perpetrators of smuggling and hoarding identified by the Ministry of Interior.

Despite the formation of a 4-member committee by the Sindh government to tackle the issue comprehensively, no concrete actions have been initiated against the individuals responsible for the widespread illegal activities of hoarding and smuggling of wheat and other essential commodities.