Drive against wheat movement, hoarding intensified.

GUJRANWALA -- Well short of its 4.5 million tonnes wheat procurement target, the Punjab government has intensified its drive against illegal grain movement and hoarding.

On Tuesday, a team of the Gujranwala district administration thwarted a bid to smuggle 4,000 wheat bags loaded on seven trucks at a check post near Wazirabad.

In another raid, it seized 1,000 bags illegally stored in a godown.

Deputy Commissioner Suhail Ashraf told the media as per the Punjab government ban on inter-district movement of wheat, the administration had established six check posts at entry and exit points of the district to control illegal movement of the grain.

He said a team comprising revenue and food officials under the supervision of Wazirabaqed AC Waqar Hussain seized 4,000 bags of wheat which were being shipped to KP.

He said seven truck drivers were arrested and cases were lodged against dealers/middlemen.

In other raids, a food and police special branch team recovered more...