KP NAB launches inquiry into Rs20bn wheat procurement scandal

PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched a formal inquiry into an alleged large-scale corruption scandal in the wheat procurement process for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

The case involves officials from the Provincial Food Department and private suppliers who are accused of mismanagement and financial misconduct worth billions of rupees.

According to sources, substandard wheat was purchased at inflated prices, raising suspicions of collusion between government officials and suppliers.

Additionally, large quantities of subsidized wheat, intended for public consumption, have reportedly gone missing from government warehouses, leading to artificial shortages and rising wheat prices across the province.

The NAB sources said the scandal had sparked concerns among the public, as wheat was a staple food, and any mismanagement in its procurement could directly impact millions of people.

Allegations of corruption suggest that government officials, in collaboration with private entities, manipulated the procurement process for personal gain, causing financial losses to the state.

The NAB sources confirmed that the KP had taken cognizance of the issue and vowed to conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible. Officials have assured that strict action will be taken against individuals found guilty of corruption and misconduct.

During the 2024-25 wheat procurement season in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial government had approved procurement at a minimum support price of Rs3,900 per 40 kilograms, aiming for 600,000 metric tons. But the government procured Rs20 billion wheat through cash payments.