Balochistan Cabinet Decides Not to Procure Wheat Amid Storage Issues, Approves Price Reduction

Quetta (Qudrat Daily) – The Balochistan provincial cabinet, in its recent meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, decided not to procure additional wheat this season. The decision was made due to existing wheat stock already held by the Food Department and the lack of storage capacity.

The cabinet also revised the previously set price of wheat, lowering the price of a 100-kg sack from Rs. 5,500 to Rs. 4,500 in response to falling market prices. During the meeting, the Chief Minister questioned why wheat was not sold despite approval in the first cabinet meeting.

Food Minister Noor Muhammad Dummar explained that although the cabinet decision was made earlier, the official minutes were issued on April 4. The Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction, stating that implementation should have followed the cabinet’s decision, not waited for the issuance of minutes.

Minister Dummar further briefed the cabinet that an attempt to initiate wheat sales prior to the minutes led to an anti-corruption raid, during which Food Department officials were arrested by the Assistant Commissioner. The incident caused a delay in wheat distribution.

Reacting strongly, CM Bugti condemned the actions of the district administration and anti-corruption officials, stating that when a cabinet decision exists, anti-corruption authorities have no right to arrest departmental officers. He directed the Chief Secretary to immediately obtain a report from the Secretary S&GAD regarding the incident.

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