55 held, hundreds of kilograms of substandard meat seized

LAHORE: Punjab Food Authority (PFA) and Livestock Department conducted raids in various cities of Punjab on Thursday and seized hundreds of kilograms of unhygienic meat and arrested 55 people involved in the dirty business.
According to official sources, the seized harmful meat was destroyed.
After publication of reports and running of stories by the electronic media, the sale of meat has decreased all-over the province.
The PFA and Livestock Department conducted raids in Thokar Niazbeg and Karol Ghati areas in Lahore and seized 300kg and 250kg substandard meat, respectively. Nine people were arrested and cases were registered against them.
The authorities conducted a raid at Sargodha government slaughterhouse, seized 1600kg substandard meat and arrested the contractor. The Livestock Department suspended the doctor responsible for checking quality of meat, and sent a letter to the authorities concerned in this regard.
The Livestock Department personnel conducted a raid in Rawalpindi, seized 1600 unhygienic meat, and arrested 21 people. They were found supplying this meat from Mandi Bahauddin to various parts of Rawalpindi.
In Sheikhupura, the Livestock Department conducted raid at GT Road, seized 1200kg substandard meat, arrested three persons and registered cases against them.
In Muzaffargarh, the department conducted raids on various meat shops, seized 40kg substandard meat and arrested one person.
In Jhal Chakiyan area of Sargodha, 40 maund of substandard meat was seized and six butchers were taken into custody.
In Rena Khurd, a veterinary doctor Muhammad Saqib conducted a raid in Chak 14-GD, along with police, and caught red-handed three persons slaughtering a donkey. One Manzoor Ahmad and an unidentified accused succeeded in fleeing the scene, while one Zahoor Ahmad was arrested. The accused confessed that they had been supplying donkey meat to various Lahore hotels for long. In the presence of the villagers, 100kg donkey meat was destroyed.
In Mauza Maanpur and Billu Chak of Sambarial, unidentified people stole 15 donkeys from the houses of Inayat Cheema, Siddiq Cheema, Rafiq Cheema, Akram Cheema, Sharif Cheema, Tufail Cheema and Anwar Warraich etc, and removed their hides and fled away.
In Zafarwal, the police busted a gang involved in slaughtering donkeys. Four people including Adeel Masih, Bashir Masih, Pervez Masih, and driver Arshad were arrested in the raid and 15 donkeys were recovered from their possession.
In charge of Khanpur Syedan veterinary hospital Dr Muhammad Imran conducted a raid in Kingra town and seized three maunds of meat of dead animals. The police arrested two accused Farooq and Zaheer, sent them behind the bars, imposed Rs15000 on them each, and sealed their shops.
In Okara, the health department destroyed one and a half maunds of donkey meat, seized from Satgirah village, and lodged cases against two accused.
In Chunian, veterinary doctor Muhammad Asif conducted a raid, along with his staff, in Alipur town and arrested two butchers Kazim and Akram for supplying seven maunds of meat of dead and sick animals to Lahore. Saddar Pattoki police have registered a case in this regard.