According to sources cited by Geo News, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recommended action against accountable officers on Tuesday for their carelessness and lack of preparation.
The sources further stated that despite the government’s decision to suspend four Ministry of National Food Security officials, no referrals have been made against the caretaker arrangement or any of its important personnel.
It should be recalled that PM Shehbaz established an inquiry committee, chaired by Secretary Cabinet Division Kamran Ali Afzal, to look into wheat imports in spite of a “bumper crop” that resulted in an excess of wheat supply that prevented the governments of Punjab and Balochistan from buying the crop from the farmers.
The premier had instructed Afzal earlier this month to determine who was accountable for the issue, notify the person or people in charge, and give the cabinet secretary time to compile recommendations using the information and documentation that were at hand.
The decision of the caretaker administration, headed by previous caretaker prime minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, to let the import of 2,758,226 metric tonnes of wheat valued at Rs 225.783 billion till February 2024 has been credited with the stock surplus thus far.
