KARACHI: The Sindh Food Department has taken strict departmental action against officials found involved in misappropriation, shortages, illegal handling, adulteration and misuse of government wheat stocks.
The action was taken on the directives and zero-tolerance policy of Sindh Minister for Food, Makhdoom Mehboob Uz Zaman, a communique said on Saturday.
In a major step towards transparency, accountability and institutional reform, five officials of the Sindh Food Department have been dismissed from service after completion of disciplinary proceedings under the Sindh Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1973.
The dismissed officials were found involved in serious irregularities causing huge financial loss to the public exchequer and creating risk to the government’s objective of providing subsidized wheat flour to the people.
The Food Department has also ordered recovery of government losses amounting to more than Rs. 2.65 billion, including principal amount and markup, from the delinquent officials under the relevant law. The matters have also been referred to the Enquiries and Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh for criminal investigation, prosecution and recovery of losses to the public exchequer.
Concerned Deputy Directors Food have further been directed to file civil suits in competent courts of law for recovery of the losses.
As per the orders issued by the Food Department, Balakh Sher Shaikh, Food Inspector BS-12 / Incharge PRC Kandhkot, District Kashmore-Kandhkot, has been dismissed from service over misappropriation of government wheat stock of Crop 2019-20 to the tune of 9,913.952 metric tons, with total recovery ordered amounting to Rs. 783,692,800.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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