1,840 metric tons of wheat vanishes from KP govt’s warehouse

PESHAWAR: While the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government was seized with probing the import of substandard wheat, a new scandal involving the disappearance of 1,840 metric tons of wheat from a governemnt warehouse in Azakhel in Nowshera district has surfaced.

Sources said that the KP Food Department has constituted a four-member inquiry committee, headed by additional director food, to investigate the missing of wheat from the wherehouse.

The committee includes two deputy directors and the in-charge of the Azakhel food warehouse.

According to sources, after the scandal surfaced, a food officer has been suspended as part of the investigation into the missing wheat.

Speaking to HUM News English, KP Secretary Food Saqib Raza confirmed the development, stating, “Food officers have been suspended following the report of missing wheat. The inquiry is under way, and the committee has seized all wheat stocks from the Azakhel warehouse. The investigation is expected to conclude in three to four days.”

KP’s Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru emphasized accountability in the matter, stating, “Anyone found involved in the missing wheat case will face action according to the law.”

Director Food KP Musarrat Khan said that a food officer has been suspended and the inquiry committee is working diligently to uncover the facts behind the scandal.

In May, eight officers of the KP food department were suspended in five districts for violating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and committing irregularities during the procurement of wheat.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa food department senior officials had told HUM News English that action was being taken against food officers for their alleged involvement in irregularities.

However, the senior officials had also raised concerns about the performance of district officers, commissioners, and deputy commissioners, questioning how many of them have visited different points in their districts to assess and see the procurement process.