An inquiry committee probing a wheat import scandal will submit its report to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today (Monday) as farmers and an opposition alliance gear up for nationwide protest rallies against an inordinate delay in grain purchases.
Formed on May 2, the four-member inquiry committee is led by Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal.
The committee on Sunday worked on verifying various documents and date and did not summon anyone for inquiry. “Preparation of the report is currently underway,” said one of the sources.
The PM formed the committee upon learning that over 600,000 tons of wheat were imported during the first two months of the incumbent government, despite the country already having a stockpile of over 113,000 tons of wheat.
According to sources, the decision to import wheat was made during the last caretaker government's tenure, and the import process continued after the PML-N government took office.
On Saturday, the committee denied reports of summoning former caretaker premier Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who served as interim Punjab chief minister in the caretaker setup.
Some sources suggest the inquiry committee is considering handing over the matter to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) or the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further action upon completing its probe.
The government took action on Saturday to address farmers' grievances over grain purchases.
Upon noticing farmers' difficulties in selling their wheat and obtaining gunny bags for their crops, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a committee under the Ministry of National Food Security to address their concerns within four days.
However, these measures have not alleviated farmers' concerns. The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) announced on Sunday the commencement of a protest movement against the Punjab government's wheat procurement strategy and the alleged multi-million-dollar wheat import scandal from Multan on May 10.
Read FPCCI urges govt action on wheat prices
Simultaneously, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) set a deadline of May 6 for the government to address farmers' demands regarding wheat procurement at the official support price. The JI workers have already demonstrated across various districts of Punjab and Sindh in solidarity with farmers.
The opposition alliance has intensified efforts to launch a nationwide anti-government movement, aiming to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. Plans for the movement's initiation in the upcoming weeks indicate growing discontent and political unrest within the country in May.
During a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, PKI Chairman Khalid Khokhar criticized what he called a "mafia" profiting from wheat smuggling, alleging collusion within the system to support such illicit activities.
Khokhar highlighted the adverse impact of wheat imports, citing substantial losses incurred by both farmers and the government. He emphasized farmers' plight, who, despite working tirelessly, face financial hardships exacerbated by low prices and alleged market manipulation.
Meanwhile, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bhachar called for the arrest of former interim PM Kakar over the wheat scandal, holding all individuals involved in the decision-making process accountable.
Bhachar criticized the government's failure to enforce wheat support prices in the open market, leading to a significant downturn in prices despite Punjab's substantial contribution to the national wheat harvest.
The PTI has also demanded the establishment of a judicial commission to thoroughly investigate the wheat scandal, following recent revelations involving Kakar and PML-N’s Hanif Abbasi.
WITH INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN ISLAMABAD and NEWS DESK
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