MANSEHRA, May 20: The consumer protection council, a statutory body, on Monday decided to launch crackdown against the quacks.

“A team headed by district health officer would launch the crackdown against the quacks who would be taken to justice under consumer protection law,” said Ali Shahzad, assistant commissioner and secretary general of the council, while speaking at a meeting here.

The meeting, which was presided over by its chairman Shahjahan Khan Swati, was attended by the representatives of government departments, and council’s members, including journalists and members of civil society.

The office-bearers of druggists and chemists were directed to observe legal formalities and not to issue medicines to those who were without prescription.

“Medicines should be sold only on doctors’ prescription and those selling medicines without prescription except common use medicines would be taken to task under relevant law,” said Mr Swati.

The president of druggist body Abdul Rasheed and secretary general Munir Ahmad assured the council that they would strictly follow the code of conduct issued by the council.

The council also constituted a body which would check the fake medicines and monitor prices.

RIGGING ALLEGATIONS: The former lawmaker of Awami National Party Nimroz Khan has demanded re-polling in PK-58 where he alleged massive rigging.

“It is unfortunate that despite prior information the election commission didn’t take action against men casting vote for women in 20 polling stations specified for women,” said Mr Khan while speaking at a press conference on Monday.

Mr Khan, who was minister of Haj and Auqaf in the previous government in KP, said because of his efforts the people of Torghar were given basic rights.

“The people of Torghar would launch agitation and block the Karakoram Highway if the election commission fails to order re-polling in the entire constituency within three days,” warned Mr Khan.

Mr Khan while giving the documentary evidences regarding his allegations said out of total 77 female polling stations in the constituency polling was held at only 20 stations where men cast vote in place of women.