KARACHI, Sept 23: The quality and standard of products sold in the market would be strictly monitored to eliminate adulteration. This was stated by Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Choudhry Noraiz Shakoor, here on Friday.

He was talking to reporters after the launching of diet “atta” developed by the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) at a hotel here.

The minister pointed out that work has been initiated in this respect and all products which, after manufacture are put on sale in the market, would be registered.

He said the registered items after test would be stamped and then can be sold.

Shakoor made it clear that the unregistered items would not be permitted for sale in the market.

“Right now we are adopting a soft approach and we do not want to create any sort of chaos,” he remarked.

He, however, added that from Dec 31, 2006, any uncertified product would not be allowed to be sold in the market.

Action would be initiated against violators in accordance with the provisions of the Pure Food Act after issuance of warning.

The minister pointed out that an effective monitoring would be carried out.

He said a network would also be created and the provincial government officials would also be included in this.

Shakoor stated that a sample of the product would be picked at source, as well as from at least two different places in the market for carrying out tests.

He announced that this would be implemented in a very strict manner to eliminate adulteration and fake items.

The minister said that to check ‘brain drain’, a special package would be given to scientists and technologists and they would be invited to come back to the country and work here.

He stated that all organisations under the Ministry of Science and Technology which were working under ‘resolutions’ would now function under the Act of Parliament.

In this connection, Shakoor pointed out that the National Assembly on Thursday passed the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources Bill 2005 to provide for establishment of the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources. It also passed the National Institute of Oceanography Bill 2005 to provide for the establishment of the National Institute of Oceanography.

Shakoor further pointed out that the policy of the present government is to involve the private sector in research work that is being carried out as well as in the process of development so that every citizen could benefit from this.—APP