Sindh recovers 150,000 tonnes of hoarded wheat as crackdown cuts prices by 13pc

• Sharjeel Memon says province compensated affected stockholders at official procurement rates

• Asks remaining hoarders to surrender wheat stocks to ensure adequate market supply

• Urges Fazlur Rehman to withdraw remarks against armed forces, calls for national unity

 KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon on Thursday said the provincial government had recovered 150,000 tonnes of wheat from hoarders during a province-wide crackdown, asserting that the operation had helped bring down wheat prices by 13 per cent after the recovered stocks were released into the market.

Addressing a press conference, the senior minister said both Sindh and Punjab had witnessed bumper wheat harvests this season, but large quantities of the commodity were hoarded by profiteers, preventing the government from procuring the required stocks.

He said the Sindh government launched a comprehensive crackdown against hoarders, recovering 150,000 tonnes of wheat while compensating those from whom the grain was seized in accordance with the government-notified procurement rates.

Memon urged individuals and traders still holding wheat stocks to voluntarily hand them over to the government to ensure adequate market supplies and help stabilize prices.

He said wheat prices had declined by 13 per cent following the release of the recovered wheat into the market.

Responding to a question, the minister said the Sindh government had taken immediate notice of the murder of Dr Akash Kumar, adding that police acted swiftly by arresting three suspects — Anil, Ram Chand and Suresh — and recovering the vehicle allegedly used in the crime.

He commended the police for their prompt response and reiterated the provincial government's commitment to taking immediate and decisive action against serious crimes.

Memon also strongly condemned statements made against the country's martyrs and ghazis, saying Pakistan's armed forces had defended the nation with distinction on every front.

Referring to the recent Pakistan-India conflict, he said the Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force had responded effectively and defeated the enemy.

He urged JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to withdraw his remarks regarding the armed forces, saying such statements had received extensive coverage in the Indian media and served the interests of Pakistan's adversaries.

He maintained that Pakistan's martyrs and ghazis were national heroes whose sacrifices could not be undermined by any statement.

The senior minister said the entire nation had remained united during the Pakistan-India conflict, with every segment of society playing its role in safeguarding national interests.

He added that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had consistently struggled against dictatorship throughout its political history but had never spoken against the country's armed forces.

Memon said Pakistan's status as the only nuclear power in the Islamic world reflected the vision of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, stressing that political, military, business and social stakeholders should remain united on matters concerning national interest.

Answering another question, he described Maulana Fazlur Rehman as a seasoned politician and said withdrawing his statement would further enhance his stature.

He also said the prime minister was making key decisions while keeping the country's prevailing economic conditions in view.

Commenting further on the wheat situation, Memon said Punjab and Sindh had adopted separate wheat procurement policies.

He said there was no evidence that wheat had been transported from Punjab to Afghanistan, but there was evidence of wheat being moved from Sindh to Punjab.

He clarified that under the Constitution, no province could prevent the movement of wheat to another province.