Massive wheat scam unearthed
Despite early warnings and internal reports, senior officials reportedly failed to take timely action. After the matter became public, authorities have now hinted at launching a formal inquiry.
According to official sources, significant quantities of wheat have been misappropriated from three storage centers: 23,000 bags from Sardarpur Center, 27,000 bags from Kot Islam Center, and 13,000 bags from Bhatta Kot Center.
During departmental checks prompted by public complaints, wheat bags worth more than Rs300 million were found damaged and decomposed.
In some storage rooms, the wheat had turned completely black, and in certain piles of soil within the warehouses, wheat grains had even started to sprout.
A sensitive intelligence agency in Punjab has identified three food centres in Khanewal and five in Multan where thousands of wheat bags have been misappropriated, and in some cases, the wheat has turned black.
The agency has reported to the Punjab government that wheat worth Rs500 to Rs600 million has either been embezzled or spoiled.
According to the report, when the Director in Multan exerted pressure on an inspector of one of the food centres, the inspector passed away, as he was facing a liability of Rs350 million in recovery.
The food inspectors responsible during the time of the irregularities were: Malik Qasim and Ghazanfar Bhutta at Kot Islam Centre; Hasnain Siddiqui at Sardarpur Centre; and Rana Muhammad Sarwar at Bhatta Kot Centre.
Sources fear that in addition to the negligence, a large quantity of good-quality wheat may have been sold in the open market, and blackened, unusable wheat mixed with soil was placed in the bags to cover up the theft.
The wheat in question was procured in 2023 at the official rate of Rs3,900 per 40 kilogrammes.
Despite being aware of the situation, the Deputy Director of Food Multan and the District Food Controller of Khanewal reportedly took no meaningful steps to address the issue.
District Food Controller Muhammad Sufyan, when contacted for comment, acknowledged that some wheat had indeed spoiled. He attributed the spoilage to the ineffectiveness of the chemical treatment used for preservation. He claimed that an investigation into the matter is currently underway.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
20 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Long-serving maid accused of torching house after theft
A long-serving domestic worker allegedly stole valuables from her employer's home and later set part of the house on fire in an attempt to conceal the crime. Police have registered a case and launched a search for the suspects. According to an FIR lodged by Faizan Chaudhry, a resident of 214-RB Qaddafiabad, with Sadar Police Station, the accused, Samina, had been working as a housemaid at their residence for the past 12 years. On 19 July, at around 8 a.m., Faizan and his family left for Jhang Road following the death of his maternal uncle, leaving the children at home. During their absence, the housemaid, along with her husband Zafar Ahmed, resident of 214-RB and accomplices including a man named Abid, allegedly broke open the locked drawers attached to the beds and stole a significant amount of cash, prize bonds worth Rs500,000 and gold jewellery. The stolen items include, six gold bangles, one gold kara, nine gold rings, two gold lockets, two gold kara bangles, one pair of earrings, one pair of tops, four small earrings, (Total gold weighing approximately 22 tolas). To cover up the theft, the accused reportedly set fire to the side table in the room, which caused the side table and mattress to be completely destroyed. Police have registered a case under sections 381, 435, and 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code against Samina, her husband, and two other suspects. A search operation is underway to apprehend them.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Massive wheat scam unearthed
Over Rs300 million worth of wheat has allegedly been embezzled from three procurement centres of the Punjab Food Department in Khanewal due to corruption, negligence and departmental apathy. Despite early warnings and internal reports, senior officials reportedly failed to take timely action. After the matter became public, authorities have now hinted at launching a formal inquiry. According to official sources, significant quantities of wheat have been misappropriated from three storage centers: 23,000 bags from Sardarpur Center, 27,000 bags from Kot Islam Center, and 13,000 bags from Bhatta Kot Center. During departmental checks prompted by public complaints, wheat bags worth more than Rs300 million were found damaged and decomposed. In some storage rooms, the wheat had turned completely black, and in certain piles of soil within the warehouses, wheat grains had even started to sprout. A sensitive intelligence agency in Punjab has identified three food centres in Khanewal and five in Multan where thousands of wheat bags have been misappropriated, and in some cases, the wheat has turned black. The agency has reported to the Punjab government that wheat worth Rs500 to Rs600 million has either been embezzled or spoiled. According to the report, when the Director in Multan exerted pressure on an inspector of one of the food centres, the inspector passed away, as he was facing a liability of Rs350 million in recovery. The food inspectors responsible during the time of the irregularities were: Malik Qasim and Ghazanfar Bhutta at Kot Islam Centre; Hasnain Siddiqui at Sardarpur Centre; and Rana Muhammad Sarwar at Bhatta Kot Centre. Sources fear that in addition to the negligence, a large quantity of good-quality wheat may have been sold in the open market, and blackened, unusable wheat mixed with soil was placed in the bags to cover up the theft. The wheat in question was procured in 2023 at the official rate of Rs3,900 per 40 kilogrammes. Despite being aware of the situation, the Deputy Director of Food Multan and the District Food Controller of Khanewal reportedly took no meaningful steps to address the issue. District Food Controller Muhammad Sufyan, when contacted for comment, acknowledged that some wheat had indeed spoiled. He attributed the spoilage to the ineffectiveness of the chemical treatment used for preservation. He claimed that an investigation into the matter is currently underway.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Landowner 'mutilates' cowfor straying into his field
In a disturbing incident in Upper Khanpur, a cow was reportedly mutilated and killed by a landowner after wandering into agricultural fields. According to a complaint filed at Khanpur police station, Mehmoodur Rehman, a resident of Upper Khanpur, alleged that he had started a small livestock business with Muhammad Naeem in the village of Dhaniya Khanpur, where they raised and sold cows and calves. On July 13, his cow allegedly wandered off toward a stream — possibly in search of water — and entered a field owned by Chaudhry Qayyum. The complainant claimed that Qayyum set dogs on the cow and attacked it with stones and sticks, breaking its leg and causing severe injuries. Despite the cow's condition, it was not provided any assistance and reportedly died after suffering all day in the heat and sun. An eyewitness was also present during the incident. Mehmood stated that the cow had recently given birth, leaving the calf without milk. He further claimed that despite approaching the accused along with the witness to demand compensation, Qayyum refused to engage in any discussion. According to Mehmood, the cow was valued at over Rs300,000 and was a source of milk income. He cited the incident as a punishable offence under Section 429 of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890, and urged authorities to take legal action and compensate his loss. Police have acknowledged receiving the complaint but stated that no formal action has been taken yet. The incident has sparked concern among residents over the rising cruelty toward animals. In response, Chaudhry Qayyum denied the allegations, stating that the cow fell from a 12-foot-high ledge due to fear of dogs and broke its legs. He claimed a butcher was called to slaughter the injured animal and described the cruelty claims as false accusations.
