KARACHI: Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) is going to launch a massive countrywide campaign against food adulteration during which laboratory reports of 13 different products will be issued by its mobile lab on the spot and legal action will also be initiated at the same time.
PSQCA Director General Eng Khalid Siddiq announced the launch of the campaign while addressing a conference ‘I am Consumer’ organised by the Consumer Protection Council of Pakistan (CRPC) to mark the World Consumers Day in Karachi at National Museum Auditorium.
CRPC Chairman and Commissioner Karachi’s Task Force on Prices and Adulteration Member Shakil Baig, special guest Karachi ACG Shah Zeb Shaikh, guest of honour Association of Karachi Sweets and Nimco Muhammad President Tehsin Shaikh, Abdani Group of Schools Abdul Chairman Majeed Abdani, National Alliance for Food Safety-NAFS President Dr Awais Rana, PEAK President Shahzad Akhtar, and others attended the conference.
He warned people involved in food adulteration and sellers of substandard products to immediately stop such practices, otherwise be ready for the legal action.
PSQCA DG said that consumers were more aware of their rights as they had started to register their complaints with the authorities. “Anyone deceiving consumers would not be spared and at the same time people providing quality products to consumers would be appreciated”, he said.
Siddiq said that the PSQCA with the help of CRPC would soon launch a consumer awareness drive.
Shakil Baig stressed on united efforts for consumers awareness. “One individual or organisation can not accomplish this struggle unless we do it jointly, we all should join hands for the general interest”.
He also presented a resolution which was widely supported by the audience. It demanded to bring people involved in adulteration into a court of law and also suggested judicial officers to awarding them exemplary punishment.
Shakil Baig also appreciated the efforts of the PSQCA DG and said that an awareness campaign would soon be launched in educational institutions.
Representing the Commissioner Office, ACG Shah Zeb Shaikh appreciated efforts of the CRPC Chairman and his team and assured complete support.
Association of Karachi Nimco and Sweets President Shaikh Mohammad Tehseen said that such conferences should be held on regular basis.
Abdani Group of Schools Abdul Majeed Abdani Chairman lauded the campaign against food adulteration and said, “This campaign can be a sigh of relief for consumers”.
PEAK Chairman Shahzad Akhtar said that after completion of exams, awareness campaign would also be launched in private schools.
Senior journalist Syed Tehseen Fatima urged consumers to realise and exercise their rights.
