DERA GHAZI KHAN: The local administration in a raid on Tuesday seized a large number of wheat bags being dispatched to different flour mills from the Government Food Centre here, on a tip-off that earth was being mixed in the grain to add weight.

The raid was conducted by Assistant Commissioner (AC), Headquarters/Secretary RTA, Nazir Hussain Korai, who seized the adulterated wheat bags loaded on two tractor-trolleys. The raid was conducted on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Usman Khalid.

As per officials, initial investigations showed that earth was mixed with the wheat to meet weight requirements.

The DC has ordered a probe into the matter to fix responsibility.

The AC stated that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible for adulterating wheat.

More than couple weeks ago, a Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (Pera) team had raided the same food centre and found the official concerned involved in mixing earth with wheat.

During the raid, the in charge of the food centre was caught, but later managed to escape from the custody.

The Anti-Corruption Establishment had registered a case against the fleeing suspect.

Protest: The family of 27-year-old Mehwish Shoaib, who died during a C-section operation at Aslam Hospital on Jan 18, 2026, staged a protest outside the DGK press club, demanding justice and a re-investigation into the case.

Despite 40 days having passed since the incident, the family claims no substantial progress has been made in the case.

The protesters, including the victim’s sisters-in-law, other female relatives, and her parents, held placards and chanted slogans demanding justice. They expressed their frustration that no strict action has been taken against those responsible despite an initial inquiry.

The family has specifically appealed to the chief minister to order a fresh review of the case and ensure strict legal action against the administration and owner of the private hospital.

According to the family, Mehwish was the mother of three children.

The protesters levelled serious allegations against the private hospital as proper post-operative care was not provided to the patient.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2026