WHEAT SMUGGLING NOT TO BE ALLOWED: SR. MINISTER ABDUL ALEEM KHAN

HOARDED WHEAT SEIZED BY FOOD DEPARTMENT IN DIFFERENT DISTRICTS 

WHEAT SMUGGLING NOT TO BE ALLOWED: SR. MINISTER ABDUL ALEEM KHAN

On the directions of Senior & Punjab Food Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, the Food Department has intensified its operations against stockpiling and illegal transportation of wheat across the province. In last 24 hours action has been taken in Multan, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin ., Attock, Chiniot and Sadiqabad areas where a large quantity of wheat has been seized by the Food Department. Similarly, an attempt to smuggle wheat from Indus River was foiled in Pipplaan area of ​​Mianwali where FIR has also been registered and legal action initiated by administration. Despite the holiday on Sunday, Senior Punjab Minister Abdul Aleem Khan himself monitored the situation and the district-wise report of the province was presented to him by the Food Department. 

Talking in this regard Abdul Aleem Khan said that all the borders of Punjab have been sealed and the Food Department along with other related agencies is on high alert while sensitive agencies have also been called in to curb the hoarding and smuggling of wheat. He said that hoarders during Ramadan are enemies of the country and the nation. Action will be taken against these elements without any discrimination and no pressure will be brought to bear. While expressing satisfaction over the actions of the district administration and the Food Department, Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said that In Sha Allah any attempt to create an artificial shortage of wheat would not be successful and the Government would deal with illegal profiteers and smugglers with iron hands as per the directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar. Senior Food Minister further said that wheat procurement drive is underway in Punjab and we expect to achieve the target ahead of time. Abdul Aleem Khan said that open supply of wheat and flour to the citizens for their daily use is assured as this is the first responsibility of the Government and we will meet this challenge at all costs. 

It may be mentioned that the Food Department has so far raided hundreds of places across Punjab and recovered thousands of quintals of wheat and in the last 24 hours where 4500 bags of wheat have been recovered in Dera Ghazi Khan, 240 in Attock, 650 in Pipplaan and 3600 in Chiniot. The value of this wheat is said to be in crores of rupees. The local district administration has registered cases against the owners of the warehouses and legal action is being taken, accordingly.