DERA GHAZI KHAN: A crackdown on illegal medical practitioners is going on in Dera Ghazi Khan as 53 illegal clinics were sealed in the area.

Besides sealing of illegal clinics, 51 cases were forwarded to the Punjab Healthcare Commission. This was revealed in a review meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Usman Khalid here on Monday.

CEO Health Dr Ateequr Rehman reported that 76 medical centres were inspected. The deputy commissioner ordered strict action against quacks and illegal clinics/pharmacies, directing drug inspectors to ensure regular inspections.

FOOD SAFETY: Over the past year, the Food Safety teams intensified their crackdown across the region, conducting thousands of inspections.

The operations led to the imposition of fines worth Rs90m, registration of 62 FIRs and the disposal of 238,000 litres of adulterated milk along with 100,000kg of unhygienic sweets. Several non-compliant factories and hotels were sealed.

Commissioner Ashfaq Ahmed Chaudhry, met with Regional Food Authority Director Muhammad Shehzad Khan Magasi, who presented the authority’s annual performance report.

The commissioner praised the department’s efforts in ensuring safe, quality, and hygienic food for the public.

Director Magasi highlighted a 100pc improvement in performance compared to the previous year, attributing it to effective strategies and dedicated teamwork.

According to the annual report, over the past year, Food Safety teams conducted thousands of inspections across the region, seizing substandard items, imposing fines and shutting down non-compliant factories and hotels.

Violations led to Rs90m in fines, 62 FIRs were registered, the disposal of 238,000 litres of adulterated milk was conducted and 100,000kg of unhygienic sweets were destroyed.

The commissioner emphasized that food safety was vital for a healthy society and urged stricter enforcement and public awareness campaigns.

DENGUE: Cases were registered against three hotel owners in hill resort of Fort Munro tehsil, Koh Sulaiman after dengue larvae were found there.

A campaign was conducted under the supervision of CEO Health Dr Atiqur Rehman. The hotel owners that faced action were Qasim Hotel, Pakistan Hotel, and Pak Inn Hotel.

Legal notices issued to seven other hotels.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2025