RAHIM YAR KHAN: ‘Libba Gur’, made with low quality sugar and hazardous chemicals, is being manufactured in several small units called Chunbas in some villages of Liaquatpur due to alleged negligence of the Punjab Food Authority.

Liaqatpur is known for its huge production of quality ‘gur’ and ‘shakar’ in the winter season in areas of Feroza, Pakka Laaran, Ameenabad, Janpur, Khanbela, Taranda Muhammad Pannah and Channi Goth in neighboring tehsil of Ahmedpur Sharqia. But some people in greed of earning money started manufacturing Libba in villages of Abbasia area in 2017.

According to a local journalist of Liaqatpur, who did not want to be named, said as time passed the number of Chunbas increased in the area where gur was made by using low quality sugar, expired candies and liquid glucose. But now a days Libba gur is being produced with a large quantity of glucose like chemical available in plastic buckets along low quality sugar and sweet waste.

He says as the main production of Libba gur starts from April to October when the sugarcane crushing season is off.

He said stink from Libba is unbearable. When it’s transported, it pollutes the surroundings en route.

A senior lawyer of Liaqatpur requesting anonymity said that if any relative or friend of a political figure, trader or lawyer is involved in manufacturing of Libba gur, they will definitely support him.

He said traders of gur mandi were investors of these Chunbas who sell it in the name of ‘Gur for livestock.’ He said once small traders have now become millionaire.

Meanwhile, RYK Deputy Commissions Khuram Pervez told Dawn that he had taken notice of the issue in Chak 25-Abbasia and ordered the PFA to investigate the matter.

He said the main domain of checking the food was that of PFA not the district administration. He said the PFA teams never visited these gur factories in Liaqatpur in the past.

He said on his instructions on Monday, a PFA team visited different villages of tehsil Liaqatpur to check the factories manufacturing substandard gur and imposed heavy fines on their owners.

“The PFA team also collected samples of gur and substandard ingredients for laboratory analysis. In the light of test reports, further strict action would be taken and elements playing with the health of masses would not be spared,” an official handout said.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2025