10th meeting of Board of Governors, Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority held

Islamabad, April 14, 2016 (PPI-OT):10th meeting of the Board of Governors, PSQCA was held in Ministry of Science and Technology under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain. Overall performance of PSQCA in past 3 months was discussed during the Board meeting. The Federal Minister desired to improve the pace of progress of PSQCA especially in terms of revenue generation through marking fee collection. He also encouraged them to bring better results in performance and updating their equipment and authority for far reaching impact.

While sharing his views, Rana Tanveer Hussain said, PSQCA must increase their field staff and increase frequency of their surveillance activities on war footings. This is essential to facilitate the public and ensure their approach to good quality food items especially cooking oil, banaspati (ghee) and drinking water.” “The sale of low quality or unhealthy food items in guise of the brands in common use be strictly controlled,” he added.

The Federal Minister took serious notice of complaints in low standard water bottles being sold in the market and the low quality oil and ghee among other edible routine items being available in markets. He directed the PSQCA to control this situation on urgent basis and also directed for the next BOD meeting to be held in May. As a part of the agenda item for next meeting the PSQCA is also directed to submit a full action plan for not only against the possible culprits but also for those who have already been identified and caught for selling low quality food and drinking water items.

The Chair advised PSQCA to prepare comprehensive plan for introducing the concept of three directorates (North, South and Central regions) to look after the quality and standards throughout the country. At the end of the meeting, Rana Tanveer Hussain also stressed on capacity building of the scientists and laboratory researchers of PSQCA so that they are able to operate in accordance with International best practices and PSQCA should ensure regular and continuous trainings for their staff.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Fazal Abbas Maken, Federal Secretary for Science and Technology, Mr. Muhammad Khalid Siddiq, Joint Technological Advisor, M/o S and T, Mr. Barkat Saeed Memon, DG PSQCA, and Mr. Umer Kazi, Secretary, PSQCA, Mr. M.A Jabbar, Member FPCCI and Mr. Attique ur Rehman, DG, Commerce.

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