Wheat import scandal: federal secretary removed, PM forms inquiry committee

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif taking notice of importing extra wheat and expensive fertilizer has removed Federal Secretary National Food Security Mohammad Asif from his post

The prime minister became furious with the officials of the Ministry of National Food Security.

Asif was given the charge in consultation with the Caretaker Prime Minister. He has been made an OSD.

Grade-22 officer Fakhar Alam has been appointed as the new Federal Secretary of National Food Security. Fakhar Alam was waiting for his posting in the Establishment Division.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also formed an inquiry committee headed by the Secretary Cabinet Division to probe into the matter of wheat import in the country.

Chairing a high-level review meeting regarding the current status of wheat reserves in the country, the prime minister inquired from the Ministry of National Food Security about the import of wheat last year.

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The prime minister questioned that for what reason the decision to import wheat was taken despite the good production of the commodity last year.

Expressing satisfaction over bumper crop production of wheat this year, the prime minister stressed to ensure that there was no delay in the purchase of wheat. All necessary steps should be taken regarding the purchase of wheat, he said adding the farmers should be immediately paid for their hard work.

Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Jam Kamal Khan, PM’s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzaal and other high officials attended the meeting.