ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Tuesday took notice of sale of adulterated milk and dead animals’ meat in Islamabad and directed the officials concerned to adopt prompt measures to get rid of this crime.
Chairing a meeting here, Senator Rehman Malik said that a report has been published in a section of press on the issue and those involved in this crime should be taken to task.
Islamabad chief commissioner informed the meeting that special teams have been formed to conduct crackdown against the elements involved in the sale of adulterated milk and sub-standard or dead animal meat in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
Among others, the meeting was attended by Senators Shahi Syed, Muhammad Javed Abbasi, Muhammad Ali Saif, Karim Ahmed Khawaja, Sehar Kamran, Rubina Khalid and Sirajul Haq, besides officials of the ministry of interior, the ministry of law and justice and Islamabad chief commissioner.
The committee was informed that ICT administration, as part of its steps to check sub-standard milk and other food items in the capital, has sealed many premises and sent 241 challans to courts.
The special ICT teams during raids also took 568 samples of different food items, checked 122 shops and 108,810 litres of milk. Out of total 108,810 litres of checked milk, as much as 74,610 litres were found sub-standard and was destroyed on the spot.
A total of 32 complaints were submitted in court against owners of milk and dairy forms, whereas FIRs were lodged against six owners of milk suppliers in tanks/browsers who were arrested by local police. The sub-standard milk was also destroyed on the spot.
The chief commissioner sought committee’s help in legislation so that they can make strict rules to check the crime.
The committee also condemned the incident of terrorism in Swat. “The committee salutes the soldiers of Pakistan army,” Rehman Malik said.
The meeting expressed grief and sorrow over the death of 11 Pakistanis in a boat accident over the coast of Libya. Taking notice of the situation, he termed the incident as very sad. “We cannot remain silent on the death of Pakistanis,” he said and added that the committee should be briefed by ministry of interior about the steps being taken to curb human trafficking.
Strict action should be taken against the human traffickers, Rehman Malik said.
