Peshawar - Special Assistant to the Chief Minister (SACM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Food, Dr Muhammad Israr, on Tuesday, reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to ensuring provision of safe, standard and halal food to the people, stating that public health protection remains one of the provincial government's foremost priorities.
Meeting on Food Safety Authority Performance
He expressed these views while chairing an introductory meeting on the affairs and performance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority (KPFS&HFA). The meeting was attended by Secretary Food Shah Mahmood, Director General KP Food Authority Kashif Iqbal Jilani, Director Administration Aamir Hassan, Director Operations Muhammad Yousaf, Director Technical Dr Abdul Sattar Shah and other senior officials.
Comprehensive Briefing on Authority's Mandate
During the meeting, the SACM was given a comprehensive briefing on the authority's mandate, organisational structure, field operations, food safety interventions and overall performance. Officials highlighted the authority's efforts in food business registration and licensing, inspection and enforcement activities, public awareness campaigns, capacity-building initiatives, mobile food testing laboratories and the state-of-the-art Provincial Food Testing Laboratory.
Digital Transformation Initiatives
The meeting was also informed about the authority's ongoing digital transformation initiatives. Officials briefed participants on the digitisation of registration, licensing, inspection, sampling and other administrative and operational functions aimed at enhancing transparency, improving service delivery and ensuring effective monitoring of food businesses across the province.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Israr said the provincial government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was fully committed to strengthening the food safety regime and safeguarding public health. He emphasised that no compromise would be made on food quality standards and directed the authority to further strengthen enforcement mechanisms and promote the use of modern technology for improved food safety governance.
He appreciated the performance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Authority and stressed the need for continued efforts to curb food adulteration, prevent food-borne diseases and ensure compliance with food safety standards throughout the province. Dr Israr reiterated that the government and the Food Authority would continue to work jointly to provide consumers with safe, quality and halal food and to further strengthen the province's food safety system.
