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77 Food Deptt officers sacked for corruption

KARACHI: The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Iftikhar Soomro, has ordered dismissal of 77 officers of grades 16 and 17 and suspension of 58 others on charges of corruption.

An official announcement said here on Sunday that those whose dismissal orders were issued include three district food controllers of Grade-17 Rafiq Ahmed Agha, Abdul Wahab Khoso, Mohammed Siddique Chacher, and ward Rationing officer of Grade-16, Zahid Ali Unnar, four Assistant Food controllers, 50 food inspectors, supervisors and other officials.

Those who were suspended include Deputy Director Food Ghulam Nabi Mughal, Deputy Controller Food Qutubuddin Tabani, Ziauddin Shaikh, Ward Rationing Officer, Aneesur Rehman Mehar, Assistant Food Controllers and food controllers.

The minister had directed the secretary of the department to complete enquiries pending against 164 officers since 1989-90 and took the action on completion of the enquiry against the officers concerned.

The statement quoting the minister said that misappropriation of funds and corruption by the government servants would not be tolerated at any cost.

He said all the cases will be referred to the National Accountability Bureau.

He said the government would not succumb to any pressure in this regard. APP