Rehman Malik criticised the Punjab government for not checking up on the substandard medicines. -File photo

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday hinted at setting up a judicial commission to probe the issue pertaining to spurious drugs that have claimed the lives of around 104 people in Punjab.

“I will discuss the matter with the top leadership and suggest the setting up of a judicial commission to bring the real culprits to task. I will recommend the inclusion of a representative of the media as a member in the commission,” he said.

Speaking to media representatives here today, he said that clear directives had been given to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to arrest whosoever was found involved in the drugs case.

He criticised the Punjab government for not checking up on the substandard medicines even when it had around 500 drugs inspectors.

Commenting on a statement from Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif regarding provision of security to Mansoor Ijaz in Punjab, the interior minister said that it was tantamount to contempt of court.

The minister said that the chief minister was attempting to divert the public’s attention from the spurious drugs case by issuing such statements.

He was of the view that Shahbaz Sharif, who also held the portfolio of provincial health minister, should at least have resigned from the minister's slot after the deaths of 104 people.

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