RAWALPINDI, Sept 23: The district government authorities on Tuesday sealed the kitchens of three hotels and a sweets shop and issued warnings to several others on the third day of the ongoing week-long anti-adulteration campaign, a health department official said.

The drive is being headed by district Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani. The official, Dr Ansar Ishaq, said kitchens of Khawaja Classic Hotel, Lalajee Biryani, Sain Muragh Pulao and Methai Mahal were sealed.

He said these outlets had been warned on the first day of the drive to improve their hygienic conditions and quality of food. “However, they failed to do so, leaving us with no option but to seal them,” he said.

Challans against these hotels have been submitted with the courts which have summoned them within 72 hours.

The official said samples of food and ingredients being used were also taken.

The inspection team also gave three days’ warning notice to Qasr-i-Shireen, Fresco Sweets and Akbar International Hotel after finding their premises unhygienic. Food samples were also collected from these places and sent to Lahore for analysis.

The team also collected samples of edibles and spices from wholesalers in Ganjmandi and Narankari Bazaar. Shops on the Railway Road and Kashmiri Bazaar were also checked.

Dr Ishaq said the officials concerned had been told not to protect anyone involved in adulteration. “The suspension of one of the inspectors on the first day of the drive seems to have sent a message to the right quarters,” he added.

The Nazim said it was the district government’s policy to promote trade and business activity but not at the cost of the interests of the public.

He said the loss being caused in the shape of the damage to the health of the citizens was enormous and cannot be quantified.