ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday reiterated his determination to take action against those responsible for sugar and wheat price hike after receiving detailed forensic reports on April 25.

He said it was unprecedented in the country’s history that preliminary reports into sudden price hike of these commodities were released without alteration.

Previously, the political clout with vested interests lacked the moral courage to order and make such reports public, he added.

In a series of tweets, the prime minister said, “As promised, preliminary reports into sudden price hikes of sugar & wheat have been released immed (immediately) without alteration/tampering. This is unprecedented in Pak’s history. Prev (previous) pol (political) ldrships (leadership) bec (because) of their vested interests & compromises lacked moral courage to order & release such reports.”

The prime minister further tweeted that he was waiting for a detailed forensic reports of the high-powered commission on April 25, after which he assured the nation that no powerful lobby would be able to indulge in profiteering.

“I await the detailed forensic reports now by the high-powered commission, which will come out on 25 April, before taking action. InshaAllah, after these reports come out no powerful lobby will be able to profiteer at the expense of our public,” he added. 

Also, former spokesperson of the Punjab chief minister, Dr Shahbaz Gill, on Sunday said that the frenzy among opposition ranks after FIA probe against hoarders and profiteers is palpable.

Gill said that all of the opposition was now scared that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s slogan of accountability was not a hollow promise, rather a stark reality.

Shahbaz Gill added that the opposition was distraught and scared of the fact that no one shall be spared. “Everyone, regardless of personal or political affiliation, will be caught and held accountable.”

The politician said that justice would be assimilated to all parties found guilty and without remorse.

On the other hand, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the government would take stern action in the light of an inquiry report against the elements involved in the flour and sugar scandal.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had fulfilled his promise of making the inquiry report public and all the corrupt elements would have to face accountability, she said while talking to the media. Firdous said the prime minister had also started strict self-accountability process in his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), after the release of the inquiry report. The government had fixed April 25, 2020 for the forensic report of all the evidence presented in the report.

She said Prime Minister Imran Khan had the mission to make Pakistan a corruption-free country, as envisaged by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and that was why he was promoting self-accountability in his party.

She said the inquiry report had also exposed the corruption of the Sharif family. Suleman Shehbaz, son of Shehbaz Sharif, had also availed subsidy of Rs 1.3 billion, she said, asking Shehbaz Sharif to bring his corrupt son back to Pakistan for facing the accountability process.

Firdous said the inquiry report had also brought to an end a 30-year-long drama of the corrupt elements. All the beneficiaries remained part of the policymaking, who used to create artificial shortage of wheat flour and sugar in the country; thus adding to the difficulties of the public.

Such elements did not deserve any mercy and they would have to face accountability, she added.

The government would continue accountability of all the corrupt, she said, adding it was now keeping a vigilant eye on those involved in hoarding, profiteering and price hike.

Firdous said the government was preparing a comprehensive roadmap in order to provide maximum financial relief to the people during the prevailing coronavirus pandemic.