181 units sealed, 4,923 fined Rs105.2m since August as PFA intensifies adulteration crackdown

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Feb, 2026) The Punjab Food Authority (PFA), acting on the provincial government’s zero-tolerance policy, has intensified a large-scale crackdown against food fraud and adulteration in the twin cities, registering scores of cases, sealing multiple units and imposing fines worth millions of rupees.

A PFA spokesman said on Tuesday that since August 1, 2025, inspection teams had checked more than 33,000 food points in Rawalpindi, including production units, milk suppliers, meat shops and warehouses. During the inspections, 132 cases were registered and 181 units were sealed, while 4,923 food business operators were fined over Rs105.2 million in total.

He said the campaign against fake and adulterated milk led to the inspection of over 18.15 million litres of milk, of which 158,655 litres were discarded after being declared substandard. He added that 98 units involved in the sale of counterfeit milk were sealed and 110 cases registered, while 6,867 dairy suppliers, shops and collection centres were also inspected.

He further said that to ensure meat quality, 241,473 kilograms of meat were examined, of which 23,783 kilograms were disposed of for being unfit for consumption.

During inspections of 2,261 meat shops, warehouses and suppliers, 15 cases were registered, eight shops sealed and 535 individuals fined a collective Rs8.854 million.

The spokesman said the Punjab Food Authority, in coordination with the Islamabad Food Authority, conducted 42 intelligence-based operations that resulted in 23 cases and exposed networks involved in the supply of counterfeit food.

He said key suspects involved in the fake milk network, including Dr Khalid, Maqsood Bhatti, Rauf Bhatti and Lala Ramzan, had been arrested. Rauf Bhatti was apprehended in Chakwal, while Maqsood Bhatti was detained in Rawalpindi.

The spokesman said strict surveillance and checking were being maintained at entry and exit points of the twin cities from early morning until late at night to prevent the transportation of substandard food items.

He said marathon operations against food adulterators and fraudsters were continuing in line with clear directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, adding that no one would be allowed to endanger public health. He termed those deceiving consumers enemies of the nation and said their eradication remained a top priority.