MIANWALI: The district food department claims to have foiled a bid to smuggle a huge quantity of wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), seizing 700 wheat bags worth Rs6.2 million at the Chashma Barrage check post.

As per officials, on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Shahid Abbas Kathia, the food department has launched a crackdown on wheat smuggling.

According to District Food Controller (DFC) Khadim Hussain Faraz, the department received a tip-off regarding illegal transportation of a huge quantity of wheat to the KP.

Acting on the information, food department officials intercepted two trucks at the Chashma Barrage inter-provincial check post.

During inspection, 700 wheat bags, each weighing 100kg, were recovered from the trucks.

The officials seized the wheat bags, valuing approximately Rs6.2 million, and shifted them to the Mianwali Procurement Centre.

The DFC stated that both trucks were transporting wheat without a legal permit, adding that a case has been registered against those involved in the smuggling bid.

The DC told Dawn that operations against the illegal transportation and hoarding of wheat will continue to ensure food security and curb smuggling in the district.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2026