Re: An ode to Shaukat Aziz
You've to realize the situation in its entire context here. What’s being conveniently ignored in that other post was Mush/Shauky’s gross mismanagement & poor planning. 2007 Wheat yield was enough to meet local demand adequately. Two factors led to current situation: Shaukat & his stooges in Agriculture ministry allowed export of wheat; second - political connections of hoarders & other big wigs didn’t let Mush/Shauky to put any kinds of strict checks against the hoarding which was going on since the Summer of 2007.
Its funny how people here attempt to deflect Mush's failures to some vague/shadowy factors such as market price differences, smuggling, obsolete distribution system, kundas or global war on terror what not trying to absolve him of all his failures and yet would jump up & down charging previous governments & individuals for same exact reasons as the cause of their failures.
I was a bit in awe that so much could be smuggled that would create such a crisis and smuggled to what end. However as you suggest, hoarders were waiting for the opportune moment and with the ease in export control they have found a gold mine by selling the wheat in offshore markets other than Pakistan.