A man has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison and fined Rs1 million for selling meat from dead and diseased chickens to restaurants across Bahawalnagar.
Senior Civil Judge Muhammad Zia Khan delivered the verdict, finding Shahzad Faisal guilty of supplying contaminated poultry to several fast-food outlets. The court also ruled that if Faisal fails to pay the fine, he will serve an additional 14 months in prison.
Court Takes Tough Stand Against Food Adulteration
The sentencing marks a significant step in Punjab’s efforts to combat the sale of unhygienic food. The court emphasized the importance of enforcing strict measures to protect public health and ensure safe food supplies across the province.
According to officials, Faisal was caught distributing meat from dead chickens to multiple restaurants. The investigation confirmed that the poultry he sold was unfit for human consumption, endangering public health.
Punjab Food Authority Cracks Down on Unsafe Meat
Earlier this month, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) carried out several successful operations against suppliers of unhygienic poultry in Rawalpindi and nearby areas.
During one major operation, a team intercepted a vehicle in Bagh Sardaran carrying 400 kilograms of dead chickens. The contaminated poultry was immediately destroyed after the driver failed to present legal documentation.
In another raid at a poultry shop in Choa Saidan, the PFA confiscated 100 kilograms of stale chicken and imposed a fine of Rs50,000 on the shop owner. The authority registered a case against the vehicle owner and arrested one suspect involved in the supply chain.
Protecting Consumers and Public Health
Officials noted that these timely actions prevented large quantities of contaminated meat from entering the market. They stressed that such operations are part of an ongoing campaign to eliminate unsafe food practices in Punjab.
Citizens have been urged to report any suspicious poultry handling or unhygienic meat sales to the PFA helpline at 1223. Authorities reiterated their commitment to ensuring that consumers have access to clean, safe, and properly inspected food products.
The strong verdict against Shahzad Faisal highlights Punjab’s determination to curb food safety violations and hold offenders accountable.
