The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) claimed on Wednesday to have seized several tonnes of suspected ‘pig meat’ from Lahore. Some of the most glaring examples of what has been going on in the food and hospitality services include unhygienic conditions where food is prepared, either no or poor sanitation, lack of clean water, no medical tests of those who prepare or handle food, rotten meat, dead or sick animals’ meat, haram meat, no safety measures to avoid food cross contamination, unhygienic premises, expired food and food items without labels etc. What has been going on in the food and hospitality industry, one of the biggest in the province, reeks of government apathy, corporate greed and public indifference on what they eat, how they eat, where they eat and what can actually happen to their health if they eat unhealthy food. Punjab government’s action in this regard is appreciated but one cannot help but wonder what they have been doing in the past. In other words, if there was no Ayesha Mumtaz, there would have been no action taken against those who are playing with the lives of the public. Nonetheless, it would be great if the Punjab government makes sure that this type of pro-activeness on the part of the Food Authority will continue and that there will be no bureaucratic or political interference in its functioning. The provincial government is responsible for checking those who play with the people’s lives by selling unhygienic food and prohibited animals’ meat, which is injurious to health. In Punjab, the provincial government is being run as a one-man show. The Punjab chief minister is holding the portfolios of too many ministries, which has created a mess in the functioning of many provincial departments and the masses have become the ultimate sufferers.
If we look back to the past, an executive magistracy system was introduced by the British colonialists. The enforcement of government writ, particularly in the domain of price control, adulteration, hoarding and the removal of encroachments came under the purview of the executive magistracy. The institution of executive magistracy was abolished by the Musharraf regime in 2001 and a local government system implemented. Now, demands are being made for the restoration of the old executive magistracy system in the wake of the provincial government’s failure to check unscrupulous butchers, traders, big food mafias and black marketeers who are on the loose and openly challenging the government’s writ. Switching back is not going to be easy. Many argue that the judiciary should remain separate from the executive. However, the provincial government needs to do whatever it can to check such horrible practices by greedy persons. The government needs to stop this dirty business and take immediate action against all those who are directly or indirectly involved in this disgusting business.
pk.shafaqna.com
