KARACHI, Feb 6: The provincial Ombudsman, Justice Haziqul Khairi, following a complaint filed by an NGO, Shehri, convened a meeting here with respect to the sale of unhygienic meat. The meeting was attended by Roland D’Souza of Shehri, eight Town Nazimeen, EDO Agriculture/Incharge Veterinary Department, chief veterinary inspector and others.

During the discussion, it transpired that the sale of unhygienic meat was rampant and multi-dimensional in nature. The participants noted that from slaughter house to retail shops meat was not treated and handled hygienically.

Representatives of the city government conceded a ‘deplorable state of affairs’ prevailing in Karachi and expressed their helplessness citing lack of cooperation from law enforcement agencies.

To tackle this issue of paramount importance, the Ombudsman, under section-15 of the Establishment of Office of Ombudsman for Province of Sindh Act, 1991, constituted a committee, comprising Abdul Mateen Khan and Nasim Haider, Advisors of the Secretariat, and asked for a report to be submitted to him after a detailed survey.

The concerned EDO was directed to provide the list of the licence-holder meat-retailers to the Ombudsman and Area Nazimeen within seven days. The Town Nazimeen were also directed to take action against those selling meat without obtaining a licence.

The officials were directed to remove these illegal traders and venders from roads, streets, bylanes, pavements and other places under the relevant laws.

The Nazim of Jamshed Town volunteered to collect samples of meat being sold at various public places and get them examined from some foreign labs at his own expense.—PPI