Punjab Food Minister Sami Ullah Chaudhry tendered his resignation on Monday over his alleged inaction on carrying out reforms in the provincial food department.
Former secretary food presently working as Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan Nasim Sadiq and former Director Food Zafar Iqbal has also been relieved from their duties.
In a letter to Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar, Sami Ullah Chaudhry said he can sacrifice thousands of such slots for the completion of agenda of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said for the last many days he was being accused of not carrying out any reforms in the provincial food department. He termed these allegations as baseless.
However, he said he is resigning from his office voluntarily and until the clearance of accusations he would not hold any government office. The letter said the minister is willing to present himself for accountability at every forum and do not think himself fit for any office until he proves himself innocent.
His resignation came after a report by the Federal Investigation Agency claimed that the Punjab food department failed to come up with a process for demand and supply of the product. The report stated that the Punjab food department was unable to control the flour crisis and food minister Sami Ullah Chaudhry did not take the measures in controlling the price-hike.
The resignation of the minister had come at a very crucial time when the wheat procurement drive 2020 is about to begin in the province.
Meanwhile, according to an official statement issued from the Chief Minister House, Provincial Food Minister Sami Ullah Chaudhry tendered his resignation after having a meeting with Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office on Monday.
The CM accepted his resignation and also accepted the request of Nasim Sadiq to release him from the post of Commissioner DG Khan. Likewise, former director food Zafar Iqbal has been relieved of his duties.