Karachi, Pakistan: The Ministry of Interior has directed the Sindh government to take firm action against those engaged in the smuggling and stockpiling of essential commodities like wheat, sugar, and fertilizer. This directive specifically targets flour mill owners who use inferior wheat and any officials involved in facilitating such activities within the Sindh Food Department, reported The News International.
According to an official communication from Shaukat Ali Khan, Section Officer at the Ministry of Interior, an intelligence report has identified over 300 individuals, including smugglers, hoarders, mill owners, and complicit officers.
The provincial government has been urged to take decisive action against all individuals mentioned in the report. In response, the Sindh government has established a four-member committee to tackle the issue. Led by a deputy commissioner, the committee includes the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), deputy food controller, and deputy director of the Sindh Anti-Corruption Establishment.
This committee is responsible for implementing the directives of the federal government and ensuring strict enforcement against the offenders. It will investigate issues across 29 districts, including Umarkot, Mirpukhas, Mithi, Hyderabad, Qamber, Shahdadkot, Jamshor, Dadu, Qamabr-Shahdadkot, Matiari, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Ghotki, Jamshoro, Korangi, Khairpur, Badin, Malir, South, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Noshahroferoz, Sanghar, Larkana, Shikarpur, and Kashmore.
The chief secretary has instructed the committee to recommend disciplinary action against any culpable officers. Additionally, the official list includes the names and addresses of individuals involved in hoarding fertilizer, wheat, and sugar.
