The federal government has refuted claims of summoning former caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and former interim Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi regarding the wheat crisis.
Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Murtaza clarified in a statement that neither Anwaarul Haq Kakar nor Mohsin Naqvi had been summoned by any inquiry committee. He emphasized that there was no truth to reports suggesting their summoning.
Murtaza, who heads the committee, asserted that he was operating within his jurisdiction and dismissed reports circulating about him as incorrect.
Earlier reports suggested that a cabinet committee investigating the reasons behind wheat imports during the last caretaker government intended to summon former interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar. It was indicated that ministers, secretaries, and other significant figures from the interim setup would also be called upon.
The committee is reportedly contemplating involving the Federal Investigation Agency and the National Accountability Bureau in the investigation.
Meanwhile, farmers in various parts of Punjab have been protesting against what they perceive as flaws in the government’s wheat procurement policy and delays in the initiation of official grain purchases.
Punjab, responsible for over 75% of the total wheat harvest, experienced a market crash this year, forcing growers to sell the staple crop well below the government’s support price.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, also the president of PML-N, convened a party meeting in Lahore to address the wheat situation and its procurement.
They discussed measures to alleviate farmers’ concerns and find resolutions to their issues. The prime minister is set to present a report on the wheat crisis to party leader Nawaz Sharif.
