PFA inks MoUs with nine private varsities

LAHORE:  

Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with nine public and private sector universities in the province in order to promote the importance of nutrition. Through this, the authority aims to offer food and nutrition plans to raise awareness and promote research activities.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony on Saturday. Punjab Food Minister Samiulah Chaudhry also attended the event.

The authority inked MoUs with Punjab University, University of Lahore, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Noor International University, Kinnaird College for Women, Imperial College for Business Studies, Lahore College for Women University, Allama Iqbal Open University and Gulab Devi Institute.

PFA Director General Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman briefed the attendees about the purpose of the agreement.

Under this initiative, PFA and the universities will organise a number of activities such as awareness programmes, student ambassador programmes, joint research programmes, internship opportunities and utilising faculty in order to develop content, he highlighted.

As many as 200,000 students from these institutions will be appointed as the authority’s ambassadors after they have been trained on diet and nutrition. PFA will also offer internship to students studying nutrition while it will also extend assistance to faculties regarding research, he said.

Further, PFA will also conduct modern research on nutrition and food for students on different topics, he added.

Usman also asked for suggestions to improve the food sector and directed officials to ensure they are implemented as soon as possible. In the first phase, PFA will bring students at the varsities into the circle while in the second phase the authority will include students from private and public universities, he elaborated.

Meanwhile, 10,000 kilogrammes of unhealthy and poor quality meat has been discarded by the authority during the past two weeks. In addition to his, vigilance teams also sealed eight illegal slaughterhouses in various areas of the provincial capital.

In a recent raid, special teams unearthed two illegal slaughterhouses and seized 4,600 kilogrammes of meat in Bakermandi area. All the meat that was seized was incinerated.

Usman said that action was taken against illicit slaughterhouses after the authority received a tip off.

Emaciated and sick animals are being slaughtered for meat which is being supplied to local butchers across Lahore, he informed.

The authority also unearthed poor hygiene, lack of documentation and an insufficient blood drainage system at these slaughterhouses. PFA in collaboration with departments concerned will introduce a policy to ensure the provision of quality and healthy meat in Punjab, he concluded.