The Food Department recovered 1,374 metric tons of illegally hoarded wheat during inspections of 10 rice mills in Chiniot, Lalian, and Bhawana on Monday. While food safety operations are being carried out in Punjab against illegal businesses, and penalties are being imposed, said an official. In a separate campaign, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) conducted food safety operations, inspecting 74 food points and 39 milk transport vehicles. Read more: Wheat hoarders face crackdownThis artificial crisis persists despite over 900,000 tons of wheat being stored in government warehouses across Sindh. Earlier in September, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had ordered strict action against wheat hoarders, giving stockpilers a three-day grace period to declare their stocks or face legal consequences.