LAHORE: The Punjab government is introducing important amendments to various laws to make the performance of institutions working under food safety and consumer protection more effective, Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khursheed said on Wednesday.
She made the remarks while chairing a meeting attended by officials of the operations wing, legal advisers and other relevant officers.
The meeting reviewed in detail laws relating to the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (PAMRA), Punjab Food Authority, Directorate General Enforcement, Punjab Halal Development Authority, Consumer Protection and the Slaughterhouses Act, among other relevant legislation.
Dr Khursheed directed that all necessary legal amendments be finalised at the earliest so that the performance of the institutions could be made more effective and aligned with modern requirements. She also directed that clear timelines be issued to the relevant teams for resolving complaints.
Under the proposed amendments, it was suggested that the procedure for appointing chairpersons and members of authorities be aligned with the Rules of Business 2011. Proposals were also discussed for restructuring the authorities and including the secretaries of agriculture and finance on their boards.
The meeting also considered proposals to introduce new definitions of agricultural marketing, agribusiness and agricultural commodities; include packaging activities within agricultural marketing; and empower PAMRA to regulate agricultural markets and all stakeholders in the market.
In addition, proposals were discussed to empower the Food Authority, PAMRA and Halal Development Authority to fix registration fees, create or abolish posts, and approve remuneration and honoraria through regulations.
Dr Khursheed said the proposed amendments aimed to remove legal gaps, reduce pending cases, improve institutional performance, and bring the agricultural marketing and food safety systems in line with modern requirements. The meeting also assured the complete protection of the service rights, pensions and retirement rules of existing employees.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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