Alarming revelations have surfaced regarding massive corruption in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s wheat procurement process.
According to sources, the provincial government launched its wheat procurement drive on February 8, 2025, allowing the purchase of 30,000 metric tons of wheat for Dera Ismail Khan for Rs. 9,700 per 100 kg (Rs. 97,000 per metric ton).
The procurement price was significantly higher than the rates in Punjab and Balochistan. Out of the allocated 30,000 metric tons, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Department in Dera Ismail Khan procured 24,505.7 metric tons, during which several irregularities and instances of corruption were identified, causing heavy financial losses to the national treasury.
Reliable sources report that the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa appointed three associates to oversee the procurement process.
Khyber Pakhtunkha food department was directed to purchase wheat only from individuals selected by these associates—contractor Hizbullah Gandapur, National Assembly candidate Shoaib Mian Khel, and Ali Amin Gandapur’s personal secretary, Gul Zaman.
These individuals allegedly bought wheat from adjacent districts in Punjab at a much lower price of Rs6,500 per 100 kg and then sold it to the food department at Rs9,750 per 100 kg, making a profit of Rs2,500 to Rs2,700 per 100 kg.
Several other individuals linked to Ali Amin Gandapur were also involved in the scandal, including Babar Mian Khel, Kamran Shah (MPA candidate, Paharpur), Rahmat Niazi, Saad Gandapur (son of Hizbullah), Haider Mian Khel, Sultan Prowah, Haji Hassan Khar, Abdul Hameed Niazi (former MPA from Layyah), and Sami Mian Khel.
These associates allegedly misused local farmers’ land documents to evade withholding tax, with the collusion of revenue department officers who provided the necessary documents.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Department in Dera Ismail Khan claimed to have purchased 20,371.7 metric tons of wheat from local farmers. However, sources reveal that only 4 to 4.5 metric tons were actually procured from farmers, while 20,000 metric tons were purchased from agents or associates of Ali Amin Gandapur.
A formal complaint regarding this corruption has been lodged with the Anti-Corruption Circle Officer at the Dera Ismail Khan police station.
Legal experts state that the case has been referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for further investigation. Economic and food security experts have termed this scandal a blatant robbery of public funds.
They argue that while the PTI founder and his party claim to fight corruption, this scandal is undeniable proof of their financial misconduct. Experts urge NAB to take immediate action against those involved in this massive financial fraud.
