ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called the federal cabinet meeting, slated for Tuesday at 11 am, to address the pressing issue of the wheat import scandal. The focus of the meeting will primarily be on briefing cabinet members about the ongoing investigation into the matter.
The controversy stems from the recent import of 3.4 million metric tons of wheat by the caretaker government, despite the country already having a surplus of grain. This decision has sparked widespread outrage and allegations of corruption, as it has resulted in a staggering loss of over Rs300 billion to the national exchequer.
The crisis has hit Pakistan’s farming community particularly hard, with wheat farmers experiencing significant losses due to the government’s decision to import wheat at a higher price than the prevailing market rate. This influx of imported wheat has flooded the market, causing prices to plummet and leaving local farmers struggling to sell their produce at fair prices.
Opposition parties and farming communities have condemned the government’s actions, labeling it a “wheat scam” and demanding a thorough inquiry into the matter. An inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the matter, but the government’s credibility hangs in the balance.
