Controversy over Rs10bn wheat settled

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has declared 77,762 metric tons of wheat, purchased from PASSCO for over Rs10 billion, safe for human consumption. The provincial cabinet has approved the release of this wheat at Rs2,400 per 40 kg.

The wheat was imported from Ukraine in 2021, but PASSCO handed it over to the province in 2023, raising questions about its quality. Three labs were contacted to check the quality of the wheat.

The wheat samples were sent to the National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, which deemed it satisfactory for human use.

Previously, the quality of wheat was a subject of controversy. The Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Peshawar, had labeled the wheat unsafe, citing aflatoxin levels that exceeded permissible limits, while Qarshi lab had declared it safe for consumption.

The provincial government formed a technical committee to address these conflicting reports, which sent samples to NIBGE. According to NIBGE’s report, the wheat has now been considered fit for human consumption. The KP cabinet on Wednesday approved the price of Rs2,400 per 40 kilograms for the wheat and authorised its immediate release. The Food Department also obtained prior approval from the chief minister and the distribution process has begun. According to the technical committee’s findings, the aflatoxin levels in the wheat are below the established threshold, making it safe and compliant with the standards set by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA). However, given the near expiry of the wheat’s shelf life, its immediate use has been recommended.