ISLAMABAD: During an operation against illegal/ unapproved movement of wheat and its products, the district administrations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Sunday confiscated 638 vehicles and recovered over 14,500 metric tonnes of wheat besides arresting 200 persons.

The operation, which was initiated on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon, was conducted with the support of the Rawalpindi district administration.

According to ICT spokesperson Dr Mohammad Abdullah Tabassum, the deputy directors food Islamabad and Rawalpindi conducted a number of raids on illegal transportation of wheat and its products.

`In Islamabad, 34 vehicles were impound and shif ted to police stations. Overall, 532 metric tonnes of wheat and its products were recovered from them and 23 persons were arrested from Islamabad and First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against them, Dr Tabassum said.

`In Rawalpindi, 604 vehicles were impounded and 14,093 metric tonnes of wheat was recovered. These vehicles have been shifted to police stations and FIRs registered against 180 persons,` he said.

Every year, Pakistan produces wheat equal or more than its requirement but a large number of it is smuggled to Afghanistan due to which a shortage is faced at the end of the season leaving the country with no option but to import wheat and increase the support price for the next season so that farmers would be encouraged to grow more wheat.

This year, the government has already announced that wheat has been produced more than the requirement of the country for the current year but it is feared that Pakistan may face shortage again at the end of the year because of the smuggling of the commodity. The wheat is harvested from March to May.

Dr Tabassum said on Sunday the ICT administration also conducted an operation against price hike, encroachment and professional beggars.

`As many as 80 visits were made to checl< prices and fines were imposed and two shops were sealed. During the operation against encroachment, directions were given to remove the structures. Moreover, 700kg polythene bags were also confiscated.

He said that raids were conducted against illegal sale of petrol and LPG filling stations.

Meanwhile, the capital police apprehended 16 outlaws from different areas of the city and recovered drugs and weapons with ammunition from their possession, a police public relations officer said.

He said following special directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, the police had intensified its crackdown on criminal elements.

`The Aabpara police arrested two persons allegedly involved in possessing illegal weapons and selling liquor and recovered 25 litres of liquor and one 30-bore pistol with ammunition from their possession.

Likewise, the Bhara Kahu police arrested two suspects and recovered 20 bottles of liquor from their possession,` he said.

`Similarly, the Phulgran police arrested a man for possessing illegal weapons. The Tarnol police rounded up a man involved in possessing illegal weapon and recovered one 30-bore pistol with ammunition from his possession. The Industrial Area police also arrested an accused and recovered two 30-bore pistols with ammunition from his possession. The Shams Colony and Koral police also arrested two persons involved in drug peddling,` he said.

Furthermore, the Khanna police rounded up four persons for possessing illegal weapons and recovered two 30-bore pistols, one 9mm pistol and one rifle with ammunition from their possession. The Loi Bher and Kirpa police also arrested suspects.