LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Tuesday ordered a vigorous crackdown to check the sale of hazardous and ‘Haram’ meat in the province and said that elements involved in this evil trade should be brought behind the bars as they deserve no leniency.
He was addressing a high level meeting through video link here at Civil Secretariat, says a press release.
The meeting decided to enhance sentences for selling the meat of diseased, dead and harem animals.
He said that besides imprisonment of eight years, a fine of Rs 500,000 will be imposed on the persons involved in this evil business.
The meeting also gave approval to enhancing punishment for the sale of substandard food and edibles and besides imprisonment of ten years, a fine of Rs 3 million would be imposed over the death of a person due to substandard food.
The meeting also gave approval to legislation and necessary amendments in Animal Slaughter Act under Punjab Food Authority Act and Punjab Local Government Ordinance and it was decided to declare such crimes as non-bailable offence.
Shahbaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned that necessary amendments should be made in the law and the draft law should be prepared at the earliest and the concerned departments should work on emergent basis in this regard.
He directed the departments concerned to work in a coordinated manner and indiscriminate action should be taken against those involved in this evil trade.
He said that concerned institutions would have to deal with the enemies of humanity with an iron hand.
He said that besides those selling diseased, substandard and Harem meat, the elements engaged in the trade of unhealthy and harmful edible items should also be brought to justice.
The Chief Minister said that he would not allow anyone to play with the health of people for his financial benefit.
The meeting also decided that punishment over the sale of substandard food items and non-branded commodities would be enhanced while sentences for the sale of items with bogus labels would also be intensified.
The meeting further decided that the proposed amendments in the Punjab Food Authority Act would be implemented in all districts of the province and the scope of Punjab Food Authority would gradually be extended.
The meeting also gave approval to immediate steps for improvement in the system of slaughter houses.
The Chief Minister directed that immediate measures be taken to bring all issues relating to slaughter houses under one department or institution.
He said that a vigorous campaign be initiated for curbing illegal slaughtering in the province.
The meeting also approved a business model to promote livestock and dairy development and payment to such cattle farmers whose animals were killed.
The Chief Minister directed that a comprehensive plan be evolved for providing necessary facilities in slaughter houses and regular inspection of slaughter houses be ensured.
