Massive wheat scam unearthed in Nowshera

NOWSHERA: A massive scam of embezzlement in wheat purchase has been unearthed and the authorities have formed committee to probe the scandalFollowing the physical inspection and verification of the wheat stock at the storage in Azakhel, it was revealed that 15,500 sacks of wheat worth millions of rupees were missing.

The missing sacks included wheat from PASCO as well as both imported and locally acquired stock.When contacted, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Director Food Musarat Zaman said that they had formed a four-member inquiry team to conduct a high-level investigation and submit a detailed report within a week.

Also, investigations have been initiated against the suspended Storage and Enforcement Officer.Large scale irregularities were committed in the wheat purchased by the government a few months ago in Azakhel godown.

After the scam, the section officer of the Food Department issued letter number 4152 dated October 4, 2024, suspending Storage and Enforcement Officer Muhammad Arshad Khan for purchasing wheat beyond the prescribed limit.

However, the new officer in-charge of NRC Azakhel Muhammad Rashid Saeed, disclosed in a letter number 401 dated November 19, 2024) to the director Food that after assuming charge, AFC Muhammad Khalid conducted a physical verification of the wheat stock and discovered that 15,572 sacks of wheat were missing from the store.

According to the letter, the record showed that there were 724,662 sacks of wheat in the storage, but the actual count was only 709,090, revealing a shortfall of 15,572 sacks worth millions of rupees.

The letter further disclosed that the number of sacks purchased from PASCO and imported wheat were also fewer than recorded.It was revealed that, based on the stock register and physical verification, a total of 1,480 metric tons of wheat was missing.

Director Food Musarat Zaman said that in response to the letter from the NRC in-charge, a four-member committee had been formed, which would submit its report within a week.After the report is received, strict legal action will be taken against those involved.

Former DFC Azakhel godown Muhammad Arshad Khan when contacted said that the wheat procurement process was abruptly stopped during his tenure, which led to farmers unloading 1,900 metric tons of wheat at the store.

Due to the suspension of procurement, payments could not be made to the farmers, and the target was also revised to 73,000 tons.This created a conflict between the farmers and the department, and they refused to take back the wheat. He denied the allegations of embezzlement, claiming he held the position for only a month and a half. He expressed unawareness of the missing wheat and said he was suspended merely for purchasing more wheat.