Shahbaz Sharif sets up four taskforces to take action against adulteration

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting here today in which it was decided to set up four taskforces to take action against the elements involved in manufacturing and selling of substandard and adulterated food items. There will be separate taskforces for the south, east, west and north regions which will take indiscriminate action against the elements involved in heinous trade of substandard and adulterated items.

The meeting also decided to make amendments in Punjab Food Authority Act under which manufacturing and selling of substandard and adulterated items will be non-bailable offence and punishment against such elements will be further increased and heavy fine will be imposed.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that those involved in adulteration in food items are enemies of humanity and deserve maximum punishment under the law. He said that Adulteration Mafia will be eliminated with coordinated and collective efforts as people cannot be left at its mercy. He said that such stern action will be taken against those manufacturing substandard and adulterated items that their future generations will also not think of such a heinous trade.

Therefore, he said, it has been decided to set up four taskforces to take action against those manufacturing and selling substandard and adulterated items in an effective manner and these taskforces will take vigorous action against the elements involved in the production and sale of substandard and adulterated food items. He said that these taskforces will have to work with honesty and hard work and give results.

The Chief Minister directed that the draft of amendments in Punjab Food Authority Act for declaring preparation and selling of adulterated substandard items as a non-bailable crime be given final shape as soon as possible. He said that those selling dead and Haram meat as well as the mafia involved in adulteration in milk, edible oil, ghee and spices will be shown no leniency and collusion between those selling adulterated and substandard items and those involved in the sale of dead meat will be eliminated.

He said that the sale of substandard dead and Haram meat will not be tolerated and the elements involved in this evil trade deserve exemplary and maximum punishment. He said that those giving poison to the people in the name of food items deserve no leniency and the concerned authority and institutions should continue to take indiscriminate action against such elements.

The Chief Minister directed that the administration, police and concerned institutions should fully cooperate in the action against this mafia as there is a need for collective and coordinated efforts to root out this menace. He said that the sources supplying substandard items to restaurants will have to be closed. He said that the performance of Punjab Food Authority with regard to action against the persons involved in evil trade of substandard adulterated items is commendable, however, it will have to make more efforts.

He said that the scope of Punjab Food Authority is being extended to other cities and authority should pay special attention to the training of its staff. Shahbaz Sharif said that the role of food testing labs is very important with regard to checking the business of adulterated and substandard items and the lab testing system should be made more effective while the process of outsourcing of labs should be completed speedily.

The Chief Minister also issued instructions to Commissioner Lahore Division for preparing the pilot project of geo-tagging of pushcarts in Lahore. The performance of Punjab Food Authority was considered in detail in the meeting. DG Punjab Food Authority gave a briefing regarding the performance of the institution.

Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, Advisor to Chief Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Members Provincial Assembly Majid Zahoor, Iftikhar Ahmad, Abdul Razaq Dhilon, Muhammad Ali Khokhar, concerned secretaries, Commissioner Lahore and senior authorities attended the meeting.