AJK PM directs food safety measures

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Iftikhar Gillani has directed the relevant authorities to strengthen food safety measures, improve quality standards and ensure effective monitoring of food products to protect public health in AJK.

Chairing a meeting of the Food Department and the Food Authority, the prime minister stressed that all concerned institutions must fulfil their responsibilities to ensure the availability of safe and quality food to the public.

The meeting reviewed recommendations for a comprehensive food policy, measures to improve food quality and arrangements to ensure an adequate supply of flour according to public demand.

Premier Gillani said the government was providing substantial subsidies on flour to ease the financial burden on the common people. However, he emphasised that the quality of subsidised flour needed further improvement and directed officials to ensure its fair distribution to prevent unnecessary difficulties for consumers.

He also instructed the relevant authorities to finalise their recommendations on the proposed food policy at the earliest.

The meeting decided to establish a committee headed by the food secretary to improve coordination among government departments and relevant institutions responsible for food inspection, quality control and monitoring.