LAHORE: In a significant administrative move following the recent Chunian incident, the Punjab government has approved the first-ever deployment of police personnel at the Punjab Food Authority’s (PFA) headquarters in Lahore.
The decision, taken by the Standing Committee of the Cabinet on Law and Order (SCCLO), marks a major shift in the security framework afforded to the province’s leading food safety watchdog, which has frequently faced resistance and field-level threats during enforcement actions.
The development was formally conveyed through a detailed communication issued by the Office of the Director General, Punjab Food Authority, to the Secretary of the Home Department. The letter draws attention to the deliberations held during the SCCLO’s 37th meeting on October 9, 2025, where Agenda Item No. 7 — “Chunian Incident – Security of Punjab Food Authority Officers” — was discussed at length.
According to the letter, the committee reviewed the circumstances surrounding the Chunian incident in which PFA officers reportedly encountered serious security risks during operations. The SCCLO observed that despite the PFA’s expanding mandate and its increasingly assertive enforcement activities across the province, the authority remained without a dedicated security arrangement — a gap that, members noted, compromises both operational effectiveness and officer safety.
After extensive discussion, the SCCLO resolved that police personnel be deployed at the PFA’s main office in Lahore to ensure a secure working environment and enable uninterrupted administrative and enforcement functions. For this purpose, the Home Department has been asked to issue a formal reference to the DIG (Operations), Lahore, so that an appropriate police contingent can be stationed at the premises without delay.
The committee further emphasised the need for an enhanced oversight mechanism at the district level. It directed that District Intelligence Committees (DICs) must hold structured monthly reviews of the PFA’s district formations, evaluating operational challenges, enforcement activities, field resistance, and coordination gaps. The DICs have been instructed to take necessary measures based on these reviews and to regularly inform the Home Department, the Price Control & Commodities Management Department, and the PFA about progress and emerging issues.
The Director General, in his communication, highlighted the sensitivity of the issue and reinforced the need for urgent action. He noted that PFA officers are often required to conduct inspections, raids, and compliance drives in volatile environments, making security arrangements essential. He also recalled that the SCCLO had assured the authority of “full support in its bona fide actions,” signalling a broader commitment by the provincial government to strengthen food safety enforcement in Punjab.
Officials familiar with the matter say the new arrangements will not only provide physical security but also help institutionalise coordination between law enforcement and the PFA — an aspect that has long been cited as a missing link in the authority’s operations. The proposed monthly reporting mechanism is expected to improve transparency, identify district-level bottlenecks, and reduce delays in interdepartmental responses.