Punjab Food Authority (PFA) under the supervision of its Director Operations Ayesha Mumtaz conducted a raid here on Wednesday at Lahore Railway Station and seized suspect meat along with vehicle and driver. "Samples of the meat have been sent to laboratories for analysis and determination what animal's meat is this," said sources of the Authority.
They said the Authority had been tipped off that some people were importing 'Haram' meat in Lahore. Teams of the Authority kept a watch and on Wednesday after conducting a raid seized the suspected meat and also arrested the driver and impounded the vehicle. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has also taken strict notice of the news regarding alleged sale of Haram meat and ordered indiscriminate action against the elements involved in that heinous trade.
The Chief Minister directed concerned departments and institutions to take measures on emergent basis for complete elimination of the nefarious trade of Haram as well as dead animals and said that no one would be allowed to play with human lives only for his lust for money.
PFA team on Wednesday continued its operations in other parts of the city too and sealed the canteen of Kinnaird College due to bad cleanliness situation, substandard ketchup, selling products without labelling, use of rancid oil and no medical of workers, while Muhammad Nehari House Dharampura and New Ghausia Milk shop, Billa Paan shop on Bahar Shah Road, Nadeem Murrabba Factory in China Scheme were sealed on various charges.
Meanwhile, Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin has said that Punjab government would ensure provision of quality and hygienic food to the masses at every cost. He said provision of quality eatable items to the people at cheaper rate would prove to be a revolutionary step which would not only promote positive approach but employment opportunities would also increase with the preparation of world standard food items.
He expressed these views while talking to the journalists on Wednesday. He said instructions had been issued to all district governments for implementation of laws for the provision of quality food items to the people. He said that food production in accordance with world standard would not only bring a change in the society but also resulted in increasing job opportunities. He said it was necessary to eliminate black sheep form the society for the preparation of adulteration free food items in accordance with hygienic principles; therefore, laws of Food Authority would be strictly implemented.