The Sindh government has announced the recovery of 150,000 tonnes of hoarded wheat during a province-wide crackdown, claiming the operation has helped reduce wheat prices by 13% after the recovered grain was released into the market.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon said both Sindh and Punjab produced bumper wheat harvests this season. However, large quantities of wheat were allegedly hoarded by profiteers, limiting the government’s ability to procure sufficient stocks.
According to the minister, the provincial government launched a comprehensive anti-hoarding campaign that resulted in the recovery of 150,000 tonnes of wheat. He added that stockholders affected by the operation were compensated according to officially notified government procurement rates.
Memon urged traders and individuals still holding wheat stocks to voluntarily surrender them to the government, saying the move would help ensure adequate market supply and keep prices stable.
He stated that releasing the recovered wheat into the market contributed to a 13% reduction in wheat prices, providing relief to consumers.
Responding to questions during the press conference, Memon also said the Sindh government acted swiftly in the murder case of Dr. Akash Kumar, with police arresting three suspects—identified as Anil, Ram Chand, and Suresh—and recovering the vehicle allegedly used in the crime. He praised law enforcement agencies for their prompt response.
The senior minister also commented on recent political developments, condemning statements made against Pakistan’s armed forces. He urged JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to withdraw his remarks, saying such statements had received wide coverage in Indian media and were not in Pakistan’s national interest.
Memon said Pakistan’s armed forces had defended the country with distinction and stressed that the nation should remain united on issues concerning national security. He added that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has always supported democratic values while respecting the country’s security institutions.
Commenting further on wheat procurement, Memon noted that Sindh and Punjab had adopted separate procurement policies. He said there was no evidence of wheat being transported from Punjab to Afghanistan, but there was evidence of wheat moving from Sindh to Punjab. However, he clarified that under the Constitution, provinces cannot restrict the movement of wheat between provinces.
