CM throws weight behind PFA, Ayesha Mumtaz

• Shahbaz Sharif lauds PFA for acting against adulterated and sub-standard food being sold in Lahore, expands authority’s scope to eight other cities

The Punjab Food Authority and its Director Operations Lahore, Ayesha Mumtaz got a pat on the back from none other than the chief minister himself, who told the officials to carry on their campaign against unhygienic and substandard food with full vigour and without fearing pressure from any political or other influential quarters.

“Those providing poison to the people in the name of food are enemies of humanity and should be in jail,” said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while addressing a meeting of the Punjab Food Authority in which approval was given to the proposed amendments in Punjab Food Authority Act 2011. The meeting also decided to expand the scope of Punjab Food Authority to Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sialkot and Murree.

Addressing the meeting, Sharif said that the mafia involved in adulteration of food items should be dealt with an iron hand through collective and coordinated efforts. He said that the unholy collusion of mafia involved in producing and selling of unhygienic and substandard food items will be eliminated. He directed the Punjab Food Authority to continue indiscriminate crackdown against those preparing and selling unhygienic and substandard food items and should not care for any pressure. He said that the manufacturing and sale of substandard and adulterated items will be declared non-bailable crime and sterner punishments will be introduced against such elements.

Sharif said that the scope of Punjab Food Authority will be expanded throughout the province under a phased programme. “In the first phase, the scope of Punjab Food Authority is being expanded to eight cities,” he added.

Sharif said that the role of food testing labs is very important for eradicating business of adulterated and substandard items. He said that besides expanding the scope of Punjab Food Authority, food testing labs will also be set up in cities to examine food products. He said that the Punjab Food Authority should acquire services of top lawyers for prosecuting the people involved in providing adulterated food items.

Sharif said that four task forces have been set up in Punjab for taking action against those involved in preparing and selling substandard, unhygienic and adulterated items in a coordinated manner. He directed that transparency, merit and technology-based system should be evolved with regard to categorization of restaurants and hotels.

He said that the performance of Punjab Food Authority is commendable however it will have to pay attention to the training and capacity-building of its staff.

The CM appreciated Director Operations Punjab Food Authority Ayesha Mumtaz on her excellent performance and gave her a shield and souvenir in recognition of her services.