LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered an indiscriminate crackdown on those producing and selling substandard and harmful oil, ghee and other edibles.

Addressing a meeting on the Ramazan Package through video link at the Civil Secretariat on Tuesday, he said the elements playing with human lives deserved no leniency and they should be behind bars.

According to a handout, Shahbaz also ordered cancellation of licenses of the mills supplying substandard flour, saying such mills had no right to carry out business and action should be taken against them.

He appreciated the performance of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) for effective action against hotels, restaurants, bakeries, shops and factories producing unhygienic food items, saying the authority was playing an active role which should continue on a permanent basis.

The CM said in view of the increased demand of sugar in Ramazan bazaars, negotiations had been held with the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association and sugar quota for the bazaars had been increased by 5,000 metric tonne which the mills would supply at the previous rate.

He said no one would be allowed to exploit the people through profiteering, adding that strict action should be taken against hoarders and profiteers. He asked the ministers, secretaries concerned and other authorities should continue to visiting markets and bazaars along with Ramazan bazaars for ensuring availability of quality food items at reasonable rates.

The provincial ministers, chief secretary, MPAs, Lahore commissioner and others concerned were present.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2015

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