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Government took a significant step toward improving food safety and quality control with the inauguration of the country’s first Punjab Agriculture Food and Drug Authority, aimed at regulating food, agricultural products, and medicines.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking at the launch ceremony, said the creation of a dedicated regulatory authority was long overdue and essential for protecting consumers, farmers, and exporters. He stressed that transparent oversight of food and medicines was critical at a time when government is seeking to improve both public health standards and export credibility.
The prime minister recalled how a modern laboratory built in Karachi nearly two decades ago with foreign assistance was left unused due to institutional neglect. He said such lapses had damaged trust and served as a reminder of the need for accountability in public institutions.
Referring to a recent complaint regarding rice exports, the prime minister said investigations revealed serious irregularities, resulting in arrests and a complete overhaul of the department involved. He said new leadership and staff had been appointed, bringing transparency to a system that had remained dysfunctional for years.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also credited Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for her role in making the authority operational, calling the initiative an example of how reforms can succeed with political will and effective leadership.
Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that despite being an agricultural country, it had long lacked internationally recognized testing facilities. She said the new authority and laboratory have been established in line with global standards, filling a critical gap in food and drug regulation.
She noted that exporters had previously faced losses due to unreliable testing systems, while consumers remained exposed to substandard products. According to the chief minister, the new authority aims to restore international confidence in exports and improve consumer protection. She added that over 23,000 businesses are now operating under improved regulatory mechanisms in Punjab.
Alongside the authority, a hostel for women scientists was also inaugurated to support research and professional participation from across the country. The chief minister described the facility as a step toward inclusivity and merit-based progress.
