SUKKUR: Ghotki Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Khalid Saleem has recommended removal of several food officials after an inquiry found them guilty of getting 11 truckloads of seized wheat released from their department’s godown.

The consignment was part of 19 truckloads of wheat seized by Ubauro assistant commissioner Riaz Ahmed Shaikh with the help of local police. The consignment was being smuggled into Punjab in violation of a ban on wheat movement.

After the haul, the seized stocks were sent to food department’s godowns but more than half the quantity had gone missing. An inquiry into the matter found that district food controller Dur Mohammad Chachar, supervisor Rahul Kumar, Abdul Rasheed Chachar and Akmal Dashti unlawfully released 11 truckloads of wheat to smugglers.

The Ghotki DC accordingly recommended their removal through a letter addressed to the food secretary.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2020