Former Federal Minister Khwaja Muhammad Khan Hoti Moves Peshawar High Court Over Wheat Procurement Corruption Scandal

Specail correspondent.

Peshawar – Former Federal Minister Khwaja Muhammad Khan Hoti has approached the Peshawar High Court, seeking justice over alleged corruption in wheat procurement by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

Sources reveal that the provincial government’s food department, allegedly under the patronage of the minister and senior officials, engaged in embezzlement during wheat procurement from Punjab. The PTI’s “Tiger Force” allegedly played a key role in the scam.

In early 2023, the KP government decided to purchase 300,000 metric tons of wheat from the open market. However, complaints of corruption emerged even before the completion of the procurement process, prompting its suspension.

Investigations suggest that the food department’s minister and officials devised a strategy to conceal their involvement, using the PTI’s Tiger Force as frontmen. The Force allegedly contacted major wheat suppliers in Punjab, securing hefty commissions.

The scale of corruption can be gauged from the fact that when Punjab cancelled wheat procurement from local farmers, the open market price dropped to Rs. 2900 per ton. Yet, the KP food department purchased wheat at Rs. 3900 per ton.

Political circles claim that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur provided tacit support to the corrupt practices. In Dera Ismail Khan, the CM’s constituency, large quantities of wheat were reportedly purchased only on paper.

Since the inception of the inquiry, local food department officials have mysteriously disappeared. Sources assert that their recovery is possible but the government lacks the will to pursue it.

The case has been referred to a three-member committee of the ruling party, sparking concerns of a cover-up. However, Khawaja Hoti’s petition to the Peshawar High Court may bring the truth to light.
Separately, official data reveals widespread sale of adulterated milk in KP, with 100% contamination reported in Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu, 97% in Malakand, 93% in Peshawar, and 28% in Kohat.