Wheat import scam: Former caretaker finance minister summoned

ISLAMABAD: The investigation committee probing the wheat import scam summoned former Caretaker Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar on Sunday.

The move comes after former Secretary for National Food Security and Research Muhammad Asif recorded his statement before the inquiry committee on Saturday.

Read more: Inside Pakistan’s Rs450 billion wheat import scam

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed the inquiry committee to investigate the wheat import issue, with Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal heading the committee. The committee is expected to submit its report on Monday.

During a recent meeting chaired by the PM, discussions centered on the status of wheat reserves. Shehbaz stated that farmers needed to be compensated for their labour as soon as possible,

Meanwhile, former Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar denied allegations of corruption in the wheat import scam. He stated that no illegal activities took place and even offered to appear before the investigation committee if called upon.

Kakar countered about whether the absence of a wheat crisis in the country is even real. He stated that efforts to create “unnecessary turmoil” should be examined.

The former caretaker PM also called for an investigation into the private sector’s wheat imports. Kakar was quick to point out that this year, the private sector imported one million tonnes more wheat compared to government imports last year.

Kakar also defended the caretaker government’s decision to provide affordable bread to the public. He said that if punishment is “warranted” for this action, he is “prepared” to accept it.

The “wheat import scam” surfaced in recent days, with reports of significant losses amounting to Rs450 billion for both farmers and the government. Farmers reportedly have lost around Rs345 billion due to low wheat prices and the government’s failure to buy wheat directly.

Read more: Former PM Kakar not summoned in wheat inquiry: Federal Cabinet Secretary Kamran Afzal

Many point to flawed policies by previous governments for the current wheat crisis. These include misrepresenting wheat stocks and allowing unrestricted wheat imports by private entities. Private investors, allegedly aided by officials, imported over 3.5 million metric tonnes of wheat, leading to inflated prices for wheat and flour.

The reports and subsequent controversy forced the PM to order an inquiry into the scam.