ACCORDING to the news that appeared in the press, 22,000 sheep infected with scabby mouth disease were unloaded from the Ocean Drover ship recently. These sheep were destined for Bahrain.

The ship arrived in Bahrain on Aug 29 but was not allowed a berth due to scabby, mouth disease of the sheep. Instead of moving back to Australia wherefrom these sheep were imported, the ship sailed to its unscheduled destination: Port Qasim, Karachi, where the sheep were unloaded and handed over to unknown importer.

Ironically, no clarification has come forward from the government so far. The flesh of infected animal is prone to affect the health of meat eaters. It is, therefore, suggested that people should stay away from eating flesh of sheep in recent days.

Further, the matter may be looked into and those guilty of allowing and importing infected animals should be brought to book.

Handing out an exemplary punishment to responsible persons would ensure non-recurrence of such heinous actions.

IFTIKHAR MIRZA Islamabad