Wheat Import
Former caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has staunchly defended himself against allegations of wrongdoing in the wheat import scandal that has rocked the nation.
In an interview with a local TV channel, Kakar affirmed his willingness to cooperate with any investigation, stating, “I will appear before the wheat [inquiry] committee if it summons me.”
The incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently established an inquiry committee to delve into the excessive wheat imports, with Cabinet Division Secretary Kamran Afzal at its helm.
The committee’s mandate includes pinpointing accountability for surpassing wheat import quotas and authorizing the opening of Letters of Credit (LCs) post-February.
During Kakar’s tenure, the private sector was granted permission to import 6.91 million metric tonnes of wheat valued at Rs57.192 billion.
Kakar clarified that his administration did not introduce any new laws for wheat imports; rather, they encouraged private sector involvement through pre-existing Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs), which were enacted during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government.
Emphasizing the government’s efforts to save taxpayers’ money, Kakar highlighted that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) estimated a requirement of 3 to 4 million metric tonnes of wheat for the country. He adamantly denied accusations of corruption or wrongdoing in the wheat import process.
Regarding allegations of causing a Rs400 billion loss to the exchequer, Kakar dismissed them as unfounded, likening them to childhood fables.
However, the ramifications of excessive imports are palpable, with provincial governments struggling to purchase wheat from farmers due to surplus stocks. This surplus has led to wheat being sold below official rates, exacerbating concerns for farmers.
Sources revealed that 28.18 million tonnes of wheat were produced last year, prompting the caretaker government’s decision to import an additional 2.45 million tonnes.
However, this additional import is purported to have incurred a loss exceeding Rs300 billion to the national exchequer.
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