ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has declared 20 brands of bottled water unsafe for human consumption.
The same was revealed in a quarterly report for the period of April-June 2023, and reported to the Senate on Friday by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Information, and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi.
During Question Hour, the minister addressed concerns about unsafe products, noting that only two were registered with the PSQCA (Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority) among the identified dangerous items, while the others were unregistered. The action was taken against the registered brands, banning their production.
The minister emphasized that the remaining brands were counterfeit, and measures were implemented against groups producing substandard and unsafe goods.
However, he highlighted a limitation in the current PSQCA law, where only a fine of Rs 50,000 and a one-year jail sentence could be imposed on such offenders through the courts. He expressed dissatisfaction with the adequacy of this penalty, considering the potential risk to the general public’s lives.
Acknowledging the need for stricter measures, the minister advocated for effective legislation to increase fines and penalties for those producing substandard and unsafe products. He clarified that the PSQCA is tasked with formulating standards and overseeing the quality of products falling under the Compulsory Certification Mark Scheme.
In response to Senator Mushtaq Ahmed’s query, the minister regretted labeling a government institution as corrupt without evidence. He urged the senator to provide any proof of corruption, assuring that the government would investigate such allegations thoroughly. —APP
