BAHAWALNAGAR: The district administration of Bahawalnagar has initiated a investigation into the allegations of wheat smuggling following a complaint filed by the Food Department.

The suspect, an official from the deputy commissioner (DC) office, is accused of issuing counterfeit permits to hoarders. In response, a case has been registered against the accused official and three others on June 4.

Simultaneously, two food officials are also undergoing departmental inquiries after the DC accused them of involvement in wheat hoarding and showing favoritism towards middlemen.

The FIR, filed by Assistant Food Controller (AFC) Khalid Mahmood Hussain at the B Division police station on June 4, states that the department received a complaint regarding the transportation of wheat using counterfeit permits from the Bahawalnagar AC Office on June 3.

Upon investigation, FD officials raided the scene and discovered three permits bearing the stamps of the Bahawalnagar DC. These permits were being used by them to transport wheat from the grain market to Lahore. However, the permits were confirmed as fake upon verification by the Bahawalnagar AC Office.

Upon receiving this information, the district food controller (DFC) ordered a two-member inquiry committee consisting of AFC Muhammad Akmal and chaukidar Javed Iqbal.

The committee’s investigation revealed that an official named Shamsul Haq, working at the Bahawalnagar DC office, had issued five fake permits to various individuals, including Iftikhar, Kamran and Imran.

The FIR recommends taking legal action against the accused under Sections 420, 468, and 471.

Bahawalnagar DC Zulfiqar was not available for comment. However, a DC office official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Haq, who had been working at the DC office for over a decade, was originally an employee of the Education Department. It was alleged that Haq obtained affidavits in his favor from those engaged in wheat smuggling.

DFC Ejaz told Dawn that the inquiry had proven the guilt of the official in question for issuing counterfeit permits to various individuals. He further stated that the department had successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle 152 metric tons of wheat using three vehicles in collaboration with Shamsul Haq. The department continues to take daily actions against those involved in illegal wheat transportation.

In May, the food department had penalized two of its officials after the DC accused them of engaging in corruption, purchasing substandard wheat, favoring middlemen, and exceeding the prescribed weight during the wheat procurement process.

Assistant Food Controller Haroonabad Khadim Hussain Faraz was suspended on May 4, while Foodgrains Supervisor at Metha Jhedu (Bahawalnagar) Muhammad Yusaf was transferred to Bahawalpur on May 5.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2023