Sharjeel says action will be taken against wheat hoarders

KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to take strict action against wheat hoarders across the province and will seek assistance from other institutions, including the police, in this regard. Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, while addressing a press conference along with provincial ministers Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman, Muhammad Ali Malkani, and Muhammad Bakhsh Khan Mehar, said that during a lengthy Sindh cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, directives were issued to take indiscriminate action against hoarders in order to stabilise flour prices. He said that Sindh and Punjab had witnessed bumper wheat crops; however, hoarders attempted to create an artificial shortage by purchasing wheat in large quantities from farmers. As a result, the cabinet decided to seal the warehouses of hoarders and launch a crackdown against them. Sharjeel Memon said that the cabinet has decided to introduce an integrated weight management system in the Food Department, involve the Sindh Information Technology Company in the project, and give SITC one month to conduct a detailed review. He added that a committee comprising the secretaries of food, agriculture, and law has been formed to review the National Wheat Policy 2026–2030 and has been directed to present its recommendations to the provincial cabinet within the stipulated period. He said that the Sindh cabinet has supported conditional deregulation and phased trade liberalisation in the sugar sector; however, it has been decided not to allow the establishment of new sugar mills. He added that instructions have also been issued to retain the province’s regulatory powers over the sugar sector, protect the interests of farmers, consumers, and the environment, ensure effective provincial representation in the relevant commission, and direct the Agriculture Department to contact the federal government and formally convey the cabinet’s decision. Memon said that an agreement between DEPD and Aga Khan University for the promotion of inclusive education has been approved. Measures including the establishment of a special education unit at Aga Khan University, specialised teacher training, research, policymaking, model schools, the development of modern educational resources, and government financial assistance for the project have also been approved. He said that the cabinet has approved the completion of remaining construction work on the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Flyover in Hyderabad, and responsibility for completing the project has been assigned to the Works and Services Department. He added that the cabinet has decided to strengthen the fisheries system for monitoring the coastal belt and ensuring effective implementation of the law. Approval has been given to rename the “Marine Conservation Police” as the “Sindh Fisheries Service,” and approval has also been sought for the purchase of three modern speedboats for coastal surveillance. Addressing the press conference, Food Minister Mehboob-uz-Zaman said that wheat procurement had been carried out in a transparent and fair manner, and that Sindh had achieved a record wheat crop this year. He said the government is taking all possible steps to ensure stability in flour prices, while an organised network is engaged in attempts to create an artificial wheat and flour crisis. He added that indiscriminate and strict action would be taken against hoarding and illegal profiteering. Provincial Agriculture Minister Muhammad Bakhsh Mehar said that climate change has severely affected the agricultural sector, causing significant losses to farmers and agriculture. He said that water scarcity has become a major challenge and that there are fears of further shortages in the future. He added that the Sindh government is taking various steps to improve the use and conservation of water in order to address this important issue. Provincial Minister Muhammad Ali Malkani said that the Sindh government has decided to strengthen the fisheries system for effective monitoring of the coastal belt and enforcement of the law. He added that action has been taken against those engaged in fishing without a license. In response to a question, Sharjeel Memon said that the livelihood of the majority of the province’s population is linked to agriculture and livestock, while Sindh is facing severe water shortages. He said that the Indian Modi government is openly violating the Indus Waters Treaty and is attempting to avenge its defeat by breaching the agreement. He said that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has effectively presented the case of the Indus River and Pakistan at the international level, and that the Indus Waters Treaty is irrevocable. In response to another question, he said that they demand the 1991 Water Accord be implemented in its true spirit. Responding to another question, Memon said that no complaint has been received regarding the disappearance of wheat from Sindh. In response to another question, he said that if the MQM is truly serious, it should withdraw from the federal ministries and launch practical protests over the issues of water, gas, and electricity in Sindh. He said that announcing separation from the federal cabinet should not remain merely a statement, but must be followed by practical action. In response to another question, Memon said that the Labour Minister had identified corruption and irregularities in his department, after which immediate action was taken. He said that illegal advance payments had been made in the Yellow Line BRT project. In response to a further question, he said that the Benazir Income Support Programme is an excellent and effective social protection scheme; however, there is room for improvement to make it more effective and comprehensive. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026