ISLAMABAD, Sept 17: The government has developed a national standard for drinking water to be supplied by the city and town municipalities to the residents of the areas concerned.

This was stated by the director general Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) Dr S Khaqan Hasan, here on Tuesday.

Speaking at a media workshop organized by Pakistan National Accreditation Council, he said PSQCA had prepared a list of 46 items under the compulsory certification marks scheme. These items were: edible vegetable oils, banaspati ghee, biscuits, cement, electric bulbs, tube lights and cables, natural mineral water, bottled drinking water, carbonated beverages, motor cycles and auto rickshaws.

He said these items cannot be manufactured now without a license from PSQCA. The licensed manufacturer will ensure national standard and quality of the products.

Dr Khaqan said 14 more items were being added in this category. He said PSQCA had launched a campaign against substandard edible oil and banaspati ghee.

Presently 80 banaspati ghee and edible oil units are operating in Pakistan. Out of these 47 units have valid licenses while 17 have applied for them. There are 16 units, which are working illegally and prompt action has been initiated against them.

He said PSQCA had published a list of licensed manufacturers of banaspati ghee and edible oils in the media to inform consumers about the licensed manufactures.

The consumers have been asked not to purchase unlicensed products. A warning has also been issued to the producers of sub- standard banaspati ghee and edible oils to stop their business.

He said Pakistan banaspati manufacturers association was also helping us in controlling illegal products. Dr Khaqan said no sub-standard item would be allowed to be imported in the country. We are also adopting import standards. He said ISO has developed more than 13,500 standards covering all sectors of business and technology and we are adopting most of the ISO standards.

Adoption of ISO standard as Pakistani standards will have for reaching impact on our trade within and outside the country and our export earnings will increase significantly.

The director general of Pakistan National Accreditation Council Mr Abdul Rashid Khan told journalists that media could play a leading role in creating awareness among people and manufacturers about the new WTO trade regime.

He said this workshop was a part of our national campaign to develop quality conscious culture in Pakistan.