KP suspends eight bureaucrats over expired seed scandal

A major agricultural scandal has emerged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) after substandard and expired wheat seeds rendered an estimated 36,000 acres of farmland barren, prompting the provincial government to suspend eight senior officials of the Agriculture Department.

According to a report aired by the 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday, the issue came to light following repeated complaints from affected farmers and extensive media coverage.

A departmental notification said the officers were suspended on charges of negligence and serious irregularities in the procurement and distribution of faulty and expired seed batches.

The suspended officials include the District Director of Agriculture Extension, Dr Muhammad Anwar Khan; Deputy Director Ikramullah; Deputy Director Muhammad Waqas; Deputy Director Dr Aslam Shahid; Deputy Director Ehtesham; Farm Incharge Muhammad Saleem; Farm Incharge Saifullah; and Store Keeper Shafiullah.

Authorities say the alleged lapses resulted in widespread crop failure, leaving farmers facing heavy financial losses at the start of the growing season.

The Secretary of Agriculture said a transparent inquiry was underway and assured that those found responsible would face punishment under the law.

He added that compensating farmers and introducing urgent reforms to the seed supply and monitoring system were essential to prevent a repeat of the crisis.

Farmer organisations have welcomed the suspensions of officers but warned that accountability must go beyond departmental action.

They demanded strict legal proceedings against officials accused of collusion with the seed mafia and called for full compensation for affected growers, describing the losses as devastating for already struggling rural communities.

The latest scandal has revived concerns over governance failures in the KP province’s agriculture and food sectors. It is worth noting that a similar case was unearthed in May last year, when the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government suspended eight officers of the Food Department over irregularities in the wheat procurement process.

According to media reports dated May 26, the wheat procurement drive, worth Rs29 billion, was underway when officials in five districts were suspended for violating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

At the time, Food Secretary Zarif-ul-Maani de-notified two representatives of the Flour Mills Association from Food Procurement Committees in Abbottabad and Mardan over SOP violations.

In the same episode, several senior officials, including District Food Controller Abbottabad Shad Khan, Deputy Director Food Kohat Division Riaz Karim, Assistant Food Controller Durgae Malakand Attaullah Khan and AFC Haripur Preistan, were suspended, while the District Food Controller Malakand was transferred to the directorate.

Reporter: Farhat Shah