General of Sindh Food Authority Agha Sohail Ahmed said that the authority aims to provide healthy and high-quality food items to the people of the province. We are committed to stopping the supply of substandard and harmful products to the public and issuing licenses to companies as per international standards. He expressed these views on the occasion of his visit to the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI). KATI President Salman Aslam, CEO KITE Limited Zubair Chhaya, Senior Vice President Maheen Salman, Vice President Farrukh Qandhari, Chairman Standing Committee Umar Qasim Omer Son, Former President Sheikh Umar Rehan, Deputy Director SFA Shahzeb Sheikh and others were also present.
DG Agha Sohail Ahmed said that the authority has been established not for a long time, but soon a representative will be appointed in KATI who will assist in issuing licenses to food industry-related companies in Korangi Industrial Area. He said that there will be no delay in the issuance of licenses, for this the industry should also appoint a focal person who will play the role of a bridge between the authority and the industry.
KATI President Salman Aslam said that better enforcement of laws is necessary with the cooperation of Sindh Food Authority and the industry. There is a lot of smuggling and substandard goods in the country, adulteration is common. People do not have access to quality food and drink according to hygiene norms. Implementation of food standards has become indispensable for growth of food industry and increase in exports of food products. The role of the Sindh Food Authority is very important at this time, so that better quality products are available to the people. President KATI said that the industry continues so is the government policies. However, a check and balance on the food industry by the Sindh Food Authority is necessary to discourage substandard items and adulterants. Salman Aslam said that KATI will continue to cooperate fully with the Sindh Food Authority for the promotion of quality products in the country.
Zubair Chhaya, CEO of Kite Limited, said that there is a lack of trust between institutions and industries. A large number of small and medium industrial units were closed during COVID-19. He said that Sindh Food Authority will have to play the role of an institution and awareness provider for the establishment of new industries. The trend in the country is now changing, the industry is giving priority to the implementation of global standards, in this case, SFA will have to guide the industry as an educator rather than a regulator.
Former President KATI Sheikh Umar Rehan said that Sindh Food Authority is a very important and sensitive organization that is responsible for ensuring the supply of healthy products to the people. He said that like other countries, Pakistan is slowly progressing towards improvement.
Umar Qasim Omer Son, chairman of the standing committee, said that the interaction will help solve the problems of Korangi industrialists. Sindh Food Authority should appoint a focal person in KATI. He said that the rules of SFA, Punjab Food Authority and PSQCA should be common so that the industry does not face difficulties in compliance.
