Staff Reporter:Â
QUETTA: A major wheat theft scandal has rocked the Food Department in Balochistan, where the provincial Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has arrested a key suspect involved in the misappropriation of thousands of wheat bags.
The accused, Aslam Shah, has been taken into custody, while action against several other officials is underway.
According to a statement issued by the Directorate of Anti-Corruption Balochistan, the department launched an investigation following orders from the Director General Anti-Corruption and the Provincial Ombudsman.
The inquiry was initiated after complaints against officers in the Zhob and Killa Saifullah districts.
During the probe, discrepancies in the official wheat records were discovered. The physical stock in government warehouses did not match the recorded figures. The official data showed 43,975 wheat bags in storage, but only 31,929 bags were actually found—revealing a massive shortfall of 12,018 bags, worth over Rs. 30 million.
Investigators further revealed that the wheat theft was orchestrated by forming a fake standard wheat purchase committee. A senior officer allegedly manipulated purchase and delivery records to hide the scam.
Those found responsible include:
• Aslam Shah (Assistant Food Controller, Zhob)
• Allah Dad (Food Inspector)
• Abdul Rahim (Godown In-charge)
• Abdul Hameed (Godown In-charge)
• Aslam (Driver, Food Department)
All individuals are under investigation, and arrests have been made in connection with the scandal. ACE Balochistan stated that further legal action is being taken and efforts are ongoing to recover the stolen wheat.
