FIA report on wheat crisis: Punjab Food Minister Samiullah Chaudhary resigns

LAHORE (92 News) – In the wake of the FIA reports on sugar and wheat crisis, Punjab Food Minister Samiullah Chaudhary tendered his resignation on Monday. During a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, he said: “I think myself incapable of holding the portfolio until I prove my innocence.” Meanwhile, former Punjab Director Food Zafar Iqbal has been made the OSD. On the other hand, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar accepted pleas of the DG Khan commissioner and former Punjab Secretary Food Naseem Sadiq. In a report presented to Prime Minister Imran Khan on the wheat crisis, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said that there was no wheat crisis in the country and it was created artificially. The report held mismanagement responsible for the flour crisis. “There is still 2.1 million metric tons of wheat is present in the country.” On Friday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed to make the report regarding the artificial shortage of wheat, flour and sugar public. According to the sources, the prime minister ordered strict accountability against all those trying to enforce an artificial shortage of wheat and sugar in the country. He also tasked his close confidants to release the names of all those found involved in creating the recent wheat and sugar crisis. Imran Khan vowed to punish all those involved in creating artificial shortage of wheat and sugar in the country sending the government and people into a frenzy and resulting in major discomfort for everyone. The premier said that there would be no respite for the guilty, the government had to bear great humiliation and criticism because of the action of a few. He further stressed that the government’s policy is based upon transparency and no one would be allowed to sabotage this.