Sheikh Allauddin, a member of the Punjab Assembly, has claimed that 35 edibles imported from various countries contain haram ingredients. He claims that even chicken imported from European countries and the United States is not halal and have mixed with white and red alcohol. He says that no government department is taking responsibility to stop the import of haram food. He has also filed an adjournment motion in the Punjab Assembly and the speaker has approved the motion to be discussed in the house. Earlier, a legislative body of the lower house of parliament had expressed serious concerns over the sale and purchase of haram edibles in supermarkets of the country. The government has failed to enact law to check sale and purchase of imported products with illegitimate ingredients.
A government department has prepared a list of items which are prohibited in Islam. The issue has also been discussed in the National Assembly Standing Committee on Science and Technology. The committee takes up a calling attention notice moved by various members for the sale and purchase of prohibited edible items in the country. The ministry of Science and Technology provided another list of items over which there are doubts and in some case surety that these products are prohibited for Muslims but are being sold in in open market. The products include brands such as Chicken Tonight, Bubblicios, Chupa Bubble, Pascual Yogikids, Skittle Fruit jar, Skittle Fruit 55g, Skittle Fruit 15p, Picnic Chicken, Slima soup, Knorr Chicken Soup, Cup a soup, Tulip Chicken, Rice Chicken Broccoli, Pasta Chicken Broccoli, Pasta Creamy Chicken, Heinz Dinner Chicken, Fruit Cocktails, Yupi Footballs, Gummi Pizza, Strawberry Leaf, Jell-O and Pop Trats and these items are imported from Holland, UK, Spain, France, Denmark, USA, England, and Indonesia.
There is a need to set up Pakistan Halal Authority through a parliamentary act to promote imports and exports with foreign countries and inter-provincial trade and commerce in halal articles and processes. Once this law approves, the Ministry of Science will be in a position to prohibit items containing prohibited ingredients in the country.
Pakistan is an Islamic country where a majority of people observe strict Islamic code in selection of food items and food ingredients. But import and sale of prohibited items scot-free is a slap in the face of government functionaries who draw hefty amount from government in terms of salaries and perks, but fail to fulfill their responsibilities. The matter of haram food import is not limited to the European countries or the United States, but some Islamic countries such as United Arab Emirate and Indonesia are also involved in it. There should be a strict check on the import of edibles and customs officials should be given full authority to check and curb this menace.
