Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has ordered a crackdown against the elements involved in adulteration of food items.
While presiding over a meeting to review long-term measures for price control mechanism in the province, he said that curbing of adulteration for provision of hygienic edible items to the citizens was the responsibility of government and it will spare no effort in this regard. He said that indiscriminate action would be taken against those involved in adulteration. He directed that recommendations be formulated for further improving the law against the adulterators.
Provincial Ministers Bilal Yaseen, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Special Assistant Arshad Jutt, members provincial assembly Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Hussain Jahanian Gardazi, chief secretary, concerned secretaries, Lahore commissioner and other concerned officers were present on the occasion. The chief minister said that Punjab Food Control Authority, with the cooperation of concerned institutions, should take action against the elements involved in adulteration and necessary measures should be taken for the success of this campaign. He said that scope of Punjab Food Authority is being extended to other districts of the province under a phased programme, therefore, steps should be taken for the capacity-building of its staff. The chief minister further directed that outsourcing of all matters relating to food testing laboratories should be considered under public-private partnership and a core team of experts be formed for not only making the process of legislation more effective but final recommendations should also be formulated regarding the use of some imported items.