World News | Pakistan: Punjab govt to conduct independent audit of free flour scheme over ‘looting’ allegations

Islamabad [Pakistan]May 7 (ANI): Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday announced that Punjab will be freed for “transparency and financial prudence” following unfounded allegations made by some Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML). Flour plans to conduct independent audit – N) leader, Dawn reports.

On May 6, Mohsin Naqvi said, “We have decided to proceed with the audit immediately through the Office of the Auditor-General of Pakistan, as well as through a private audit firm of international repute,” Dawn newspaper reported.

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He further stated that a request had been sent to the chairman of the National Accountability Office to verify whether anything related to the allegations was committed by any “evil elements”. The decision to watch over CM in Punjab comes after allegations made by PML-N leaders.

According to news reports, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi claimed that Rs 2,000 crore was looted from Pakistan in the free flour distribution scheme first launched in Punjab. He made the statement at a seminar at Lahore’s Government College University last week.

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Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said, “Recently, Rs 8,400 crore [free] Flour was distributed. I am sorry to say that around Rs. 200 crore was looted. just looking around. What if you got it for the poor man who spent Rs 840 crore for you? , Dawn reports.

Abbasi further stated that it is impossible to fulfill the promise within the current governance system. He called for changes to the entire system, further saying, “It has become so corrupt that it cannot be delivered, neither at the center nor in the provinces.”

Even Shahid Khaqan Abbasi did not single out the Punjab government. However, Punjab Interim Information Minister Amir Mir called Abbasi’s allegations “false and fabricated”. Meanwhile, the Punjab Food Department has denied any misappropriation, according to news reports.

In March, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced free flour for the “poorest of the poor” during the Ramzan festival, Dawn reported. The program was implemented first in Punjab and later in other parts of Pakistan. Sharif has ordered the authorities to develop an early strategy for supplying flour to poor families. (Arnie)

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