PTI MPA voices concern over gutka sale ban violation

Showing his concerns over the government’s failure to stop the manufacture and sale of gutka, mainpuri, mawa and other such products, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s MPA Riaz Haider on Wednesday alleged that black sheep in the police force had been involved in the business despite a ban on it.

Haider, who is also the party’s District Central president, demanded of the provincial government to take up the task and immediately start a crackdown against the manufacturers and smugglers of gutka, mainpuri and mawa so that lives could saved.

He alleged that police were paid a monthly sum by the smugglers and manufacturers to turn a blind eye to the operations, and this was a violation of the Sindh High Court’s

orders.

He said that gutka was being sold openly at shops and cabins and anyone, regardless of their age, could purchase it. “On one side, the country has been struggling to cope with coronavirus pandemic, and on the other hand, gutka, betel nuts, other relevant products that are contributing to the high incidence of oral cancers are being sold openly in Karachi,” the PTI MPA said.