ISLAMABAD - Rehman Malik on Thursday said that a healthy society was not only vital for better quality of life but to boost the quality of human capital and socio-economic development of the country.

Addressing a seminar here as chief guest, Senator Rehman Malik said that adulteration and unsafe food were the major causes in the growing of diseases in Pakistan. 

He said, “It is alarming that health issues are rapidly increasing in Pakistan because of unsafe and unhygienic food. Safe, secure and hygienic food is the basic right of every citizen and it is the foremost responsibility of the state to ensure availability of safe and hygienic food to its citizens.”

Senator Rehman Malik said that unfortunately in our country unsafe and unhygienic food was being sold in markets without any fear. He said that across the country including the capital there was no formal authority to monitor food quality and there existed no mechanism. 

Rehman Malik said that the country’s laws regarding food security were too weak to control food adulteration so we were unable to get hygienic food. 

He said, “Adulterated milk is being sold and substandard food is being served in restaurants and also in the canteens of schools and other educational institutions.” 

The lawmaker said that he was shocked to see that vendors sell substandard food items and spurious drinks outside schools, colleges and universities. 

He said that this was a very serious issue and needed government serious attentions as unhygienic food was badly affecting health of our school going children. 

Senator Rehman Malik said that on February 7, 2018, he as Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior had taken notice of selling of adulterated milk and the meat of dead animals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi but during the briefing, he was told that this was a common practice across the country. 

He said that he had recommended legislation and establishment of ICT Food Authority to ensure the safe food. 

He said that there should be a National Food Security Authority in the country to ensure safe food to everyone adding that citizens should also play their role in ensuring the safe food.

He said that Senate Standing Committee on Interior had recommended the establishment of Slaughter House in Islamabad and every district of the country duly monitor by respective District Administration.  

Senator Malik explained The Pure Food Authority Bill, 2019 which was referred to his committee on September 2, 2019 and after thorough deliberation, on December 9, 2019 it was approved.

He said, “The bill seeks establishment of a food authority in the capital and appointment of officials. The bill also provides a `comprehensive mechanism for regulating and managing food items` as well as punishments for those involved in the business of adulterated and unhygienic food.”

He said “I call upon the government to implement and act upon the Food Act of 1960 till Food Authority is not established at capital and provincial level.” At the end of seminar, he distributed certificates among the participants and applauded them for their services for humanity and Pakistan.