FPAP, IPH hold breastfeeding policy dialogue

GUJRANWALA: In one of the largest enforcement drives against food safety violations in recent months, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed four outlets of national food chains, imposed fines amounting to Rs3.5 million and destroyed more than one maund of substandard and prohibited food ingredients during a major crackdown at the M-2 Sukheki Motorway Service Area. The operation was led by Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister Salma Butt along with Punjab Food Authority Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmad. Five well-known food chains were inspected as part of the campaign aimed at ensuring compliance with food safety standards at one of the province’s busiest motorway service areas. According to the Punjab Food Authority, inspection teams found multiple violations of food hygiene and safety regulations at the inspected outlets. Four national food chain outlets were sealed after authorities detected serious lapses that posed potential risks to public health. Officials said inspection teams found freezers and washing areas in an unhygienic condition, with stagnant foul-smelling water and poor sanitation. Mandatory supply records, return logs and other essential documentation were either incomplete or unavailable. Inspectors also reported widespread insect infestation, while food items and raw materials were found stored directly on the floor in violation of food safety protocols. The authority further noted that bakery products at some outlets were being offered without manufacturing and expiry dates, making it difficult to verify their freshness and safety for consumers. Open drains, poor housekeeping and an overall unhygienic environment were also cited among the violations observed during the inspection. Besides sealing the outlets, the Punjab Food Authority imposed cumulative fines of Rs3.5 million on the violators. More than one maund of substandard and prohibited food ingredients was confiscated and destroyed on the spot to prevent their use or sale. Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Food Authority Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmad said the authority was pursuing a province-wide campaign to eliminate food adulteration and fraudulent practices from the food supply chain. “Our teams are working to block every avenue of food adulteration and fraud across Punjab. Strict monitoring is being carried out from food production to its distribution, and there will be no compromise on quality,” he said. He added that the authority was implementing a zero-tolerance policy against violators under the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. “The sale and distribution of substandard or expired food products will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Enforcement operations will continue to ensure consumers receive safe and hygienic food,” he said. The Punjab Food Authority has intensified inspections across the province in recent months as part of its ongoing efforts to improve food safety standards and strengthen regulatory enforcement at restaurants, bakeries, food chains and processing units.

LAHORE – Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz on Thursday inaugurated 77 electric buses on 17 routes in seven more districts — Vehari, Lodhran, Kasur, Gujrat, Narowal, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib — expanding the province’s green public transport network. According to an official handout, women, students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities will travel free of charge, while the fare for all other passengers has been fixed at Rs20. The buses are equipped with wheelchair ramps, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, CCTV monitoring and charging ports. The handout said that 511 electric buses were already operational in 29 districts and one tehsil. With the latest addition, the number of operational electric buses has increased to 588 across 36 districts. Another 101 electric buses have already reached nine districts, while the remaining 488 buses are expected to arrive by the end of August 2026. It added that 1,500 more electric buses would be introduced across every tehsil of Punjab after the completion of the ongoing district-level project. Funds worth billions of rupees have been allocated for the initiative under the Annual Development Programme. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister said the seven districts had received government-operated public transport for the first time. She described the Green Bus Service as a popular initiative that had made daily commuting easier for people travelling to educational institutions, hospitals and workplaces. CM Punjab said that during her visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, she realised the importance of the Green Bus Service, adding that demand for the facility there was higher than anywhere else she had seen. She expressed confidence that the number of electric buses in Punjab would reach 1,100 by the end of August. The handout further stated that 11 electric buses had been allocated to each of the seven districts. In Gujrat, the buses will operate on routes from the General Bus Stand to Mangowal and Daulat Nagar. In Narowal, services will run from the General Bus Stand to Manga Pull, Shakargarh, Pasrur Chowk, Zafarwal and on the circular route. In Kasur, buses will ply between the General Bus Stand and Kacha Paka, and between the General Bus Stand and Gajju Matta Stop. In Sheikhupura, services will operate from the e-bus depot to Shahdara Metro Station and Khanqah Dogran. In Nankana Sahib, the buses will run from the General Bus Stand to Mor Khunda and Warburton. In Lodhran, the routes will connect Shaheed Islam Hospital with Kehror Pacca and Dunyapur. In Vehari, the buses will operate from Government Graduate College to Fawara, and from Pir Mahal to Tibba Sultanpur.