MINGORA:
The Swat district drug inspector was arrested by the anti-corruption police on charges of selling ‘not-for-sale’ and other smuggled medicines with an accomplice, a store owner.
Circle inspector Abdul Haleem said drug inspector Nazir Ahmed was arrested from his house in Bara Bandai on the instructions of K-P Anti-Corruption Director General Ziadullah Khan Toru.
Store owner Saleh Mohammad, who was reported to be the accomplice of Ahmed, was arrested during a raid on his shop in Mingora. Police said a large quantity of medicines being sold illegally was recovered from both suspects.
Counterfeit medicines and smuggled pharmaceuticals are widely sold at medical stores in the city. Medicines marked ‘not for sale’ are also available.
An FIR was lodged against the accused and further investigation is under way to identify other individuals involved in the illegal trade.
Locals said Mingora bazaar is a hub for fake medicines, but no action was taken against the culprits.
“Every second shop in the main market for medicines sells fake or substandard drugs to unsuspecting customers and authorities have turned a blind eye to this practice,” Bilal Khan, a social activist in Mingora, told The Express Tribune.
Others also accused the drug inspector of neglecting his duties.
“One can find fakes of every branded medicine, in Mingora and other towns,” said Zahoor Ahmad, another resident of Mingora. “When people complain, the district administration promises action but does nothing.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2014.
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