Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken decisive action in response to concerns over last year’s wheat import, appointing a committee to investigate the matter. Despite a bountiful harvest, the decision to import wheat during the caretaker government has raised eyebrows and prompted questions about its necessity.
Heading the inquiry committee is Secretary Cabinet Division Kamran Ali Afzal, tasked with unraveling the circumstances that led to the importation of wheat despite ample domestic production. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif himself has expressed keen interest in understanding the rationale behind this decision.
Meanwhile, unrest among farmers in Punjab has escalated, with protests erupting due to the government’s failure to purchase wheat crops at agreed-upon rates. Shehbaz Sharif has assured farmers that swift action will be taken to procure their produce and ensure they are fairly compensated for their hard work.
In a significant move, Shehbaz Sharif has removed Federal Secretary National Food Security and Research Division, Captain (R) Muhammad Asif, from his post in connection to the wheat import issue during the caretaker government. Asif, a Grade 21 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, has been placed on OSD (On Special Duty). This move underscores the seriousness with which the Prime Minister’s office is addressing the matter and signals a commitment to accountability and transparency in governance.
