Sindh launches crackdown after wheat stock scandal triggers dismissals

KARACHI: The Sindh Food Department has stepped up disciplinary action after a large-scale wheat stock scandal brought to light alleged corruption, embezzlement and mismanagement involving losses running into billions of rupees.

According to officials, several officers have already been removed from service, while final show-cause notices have been issued to a number of others as part of a campaign launched on the directions of Sindh Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman. The department has also ordered the initiation of criminal proceedings and recovery of public money from those held responsible.

The action is being taken under the Sindh Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1973, against food inspectors and supervisory staff posted in different districts.

Dismissals in multiple districts

Food Inspector Amanullah Magsi, posted in Qambar Shahdadkot, was dismissed over allegations linked to the misappropriation and shortage of 65,393 wheat bags, each weighing 100 kilograms, during the 2022-23 procurement season at WPC Qubo Saeed Khan. Officials said the financial loss in that case was assessed at Rs867.111 million, while markup of Rs327.985 million took the total liability to more than Rs1.195 billion. Recovery proceedings have been ordered under the relevant revenue laws.

In Jacobabad, Food Supervisor and Incharge PRC Jacobabad Zeeshan Ali Magsi was also dismissed after authorities found discrepancies in 37,207 wheat bags and contamination in 17,533 bags, including dust and substandard grain. Officials estimated the total loss in that matter at Rs596.200 million. Authorities have been directed to pursue recovery and register criminal cases against those involved.

In another major case, Food Inspector Zahid Ahmed Brohi, Incharge PRC Kandhkot, was removed from service over allegations involving the shortage and misappropriation of 188,406 wheat bags, or 10,300.447 metric tons, during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Officials said the total financial impact of the case was estimated at more than Rs2.099 billion, including principal and markup. Legal proceedings and recovery of losses have also been ordered in that case.

Show-cause notices issued in Naushahro Feroze

The department has also intensified proceedings in Naushahro Feroze, where final show-cause notices were issued to several officials over alleged irregularities in wheat stock management.

PRC Daur Belo Incharge Murtaza Unar was served a notice over a shortage of 39,550 wheat bags. PRC Moro Incharge Food Inspector Imdad Ali Magsi was issued a notice for a shortage of 6,194 bags.

Food Supervisor Nabe Bakhsh Laghari, Incharge WPC Lakha Road and Kotri Kabir, was also served notices after shortages of 5,376 and 5,154 wheat bags respectively were reported. Officials described the matter as serious negligence and a loss to the public exchequer.

Further notices were issued to Food Inspector Babar Ali Rajpar of PRC Pabedan, Allah Dino Memon of WPC Norpur, and Food Supervisor Nabe Bakhsh Laghari of PRC Mehrabpur in Naushahro Feroze district.

The department said the initial replies submitted by the officials were found unsatisfactory and unsupported by evidence in response to the allegations. They have been given seven days to submit their replies, failing which ex-parte action will be taken.

Food Minister Mehboob-uz-Zaman said action was being taken without discrimination against all those involved in wrongdoing.