Islamabad:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has authorized an inquiry into the alleged unnecessary purchases of wheat made during the tenure of the caretaker government. Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) member Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed, known as Mian Mushtaq in bureaucratic circles, will oversee the probe, with a report to be submitted to the Prime Minister after its completion.
In a parallel move, the government has proposed the appointment of Mian Mushtaq as the new FPSC chairman to fill the vacancy. With 13 months left in his tenure, Mushtaq brings extensive experience as a retired Grade 22 officer in the Pakistan Administrative Service, having previously served in various capacities, including Additional Secretary General, Communications and Works Department, Government of Punjab.
Meanwhile, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer revealed an ongoing investigation into the caretaker government’s decision to import wheat despite predictions of a high yield of local crops.
Read more: Wheat policy sparks heated debate
Responding to questions from MPs in the National Assembly, particularly regarding the agricultural sector, the minister expressed willingness to set up a parliamentary committee to review the legality of the decision to import wheat during the term of the interim government.
Amidst an expected bountiful wheat harvest this year, the farming community, especially small farmers, are on hold due to fluctuating wheat prices and market exploitation.
As the wheat harvest begins across Punjab, farmers’ representatives have raised concerns about being manipulated by hoarders and middlemen.
To appease the complaining farmers, Chief Minister Shehbaz recently raised the federal government’s wheat procurement target from 1.4 million metric tons to 1.8 million metric tons.
He also directed the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) to step up its wheat supply target and ensure that it was promptly purchased by farmers.
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