BAJAUR: The district administration on Friday launched a crackdown on alleged irregularities in the distribution of subsidised flour and complaints about its poor quality in Bajaur.
Sources in the district administration told Dawn that the action followed public complaints about violations of the prescribed distribution mechanism and the substandard quality of subsidised wheat flour.
“The action is aimed at ensuring transparent and organised distribution of subsidised flour and checking its quality following complaints lodged by residents over the past couple of weeks,” the sources said.
They said serious irregularities had been reported in the distribution of the commodity, which was primarily meant to provide relief to low-income families. There were also complaints that some flour mills were selling subsidised wheat in the open market instead of processing it into flour for distribution among eligible residents.
The provincial government supplies 910 bags of 100kg subsidised wheat to Bajaur daily. However, owners of some local flour mills awarded contracts for grinding the wheat were allegedly selling a substantial quantity of the subsidised commodity in the open market, the sources added.
Meanwhile, the district administration confirmed in a statement that the action was aimed at ensuring the transparent distribution of good-quality flour across the district.
It said Deputy Commissioner Adnan Farid Afridi had taken notice of public complaints about the distribution mechanism and the quality of subsidised flour and directed officials of the local food department to ensure strict monitoring of the process.
Under the revised arrangements, food department officials will remain present at flour mills to supervise distribution. Flour will be provided to residents only through designated dealers nominated with the consent of elders of the respective village councils.
The statement said the distribution would take place under the direct supervision of food department officials, who would remain present at the mills throughout the day on a regular basis.
The administration warned that strict action would be taken against flour mill owners and food department officials found involved in tampering, misappropriation or fraud in the distribution of subsidised flour.
The statement added that the Halal Food Authority had also launched an inspection drive to check the quality of the commodity.
At the request of the district administration, a team of the authority visited several flour mills, collected samples and sent them to its laboratories for testing.
Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2026
