10 health officials face dismissal over graft
Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has issued show-cause notices to 10 senior officials under the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Efficiency and Discipline Rules, 2011, accusing them of incompetence, mismanagement, and corruption.
Each of the accused officials faces dismissal from service and recovery of over Rs170 million individually. According to the official notice, the investigation against these officials — including a former Director General of Health Services, an Additional Director General, a former Director of Public Health.
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Business Recorder
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- Business Recorder
KP CM inaugurates state-of-the-art food testing laboratory
PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Wednesday inaugurated the province's first state-of-the-art 'Provincial Food Testing Laboratory and Centre for Research' in Hayatabad, Peshawar. Established at a cost of Rs 905 million, the facility is the first of its kind static food testing laboratory in the province, equipped with advanced machinery and modern testing capabilities. Officials stated that the laboratory will provide scientific analysis of food quality and detect adulteration using cutting-edge equipment. The lab encompasses specialized sections in food microbiology, food chemistry and nutritional analysis, pesticide residue detection, and mycotoxin analysis. It also includes capabilities for heavy metal analysis, dairy, meat, and edible oil testing, as well as sensory evaluation. Designed under one roof, the facility comprises eight dedicated sub-laboratories and is integrated with an online reporting system and a modern Management Information System (MIS). The lab has the capacity to test nearly 1,500 parameters across more than 100 food items and meets international ISO standards. It can detect harmful chemicals like aflatoxins and formalin, and microbial contaminants including salmonella, listeria, E. coli, and mold. Additionally, it allows testing for heavy metals in water and beverages, and performs comprehensive nutritional profiling including fat, protein, moisture, ash content, and calorific value. Speaking to the media on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the facility aligns with the vision of Imran Khan, under which the provincial government is committed to delivering quality public services and improving public health. He added that the lab is capable of identifying antibiotic residues in dairy and meat products and offers halal certification services. This includes verification of halal meat and detection of harmful or prohibited animal sources. Over 20 Food Authority offices across the province will serve as sample collection points, while a digital traceability system will allow easier public access and transparency. The Chief Minister lauded the timely completion of the project and directed authorities to ensure that the lab's systems are regularly updated and aligned with emerging technological trends. He stressed that food adulteration is a serious crime and those involved are enemies of public health, warning that no leniency will be shown in this regard. The Chief Minister said that only food items approved by this laboratory would be allowed for sale in the market, adding that other departments and government agencies would also benefit from the facility's services. Reiterating his government's commitment, he said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is determined to ensure the availability of safe and healthy food to its citizens and will make no compromises on public health. He termed the establishment of the modern food testing laboratory and research centre a landmark development that will significantly enhance the province's food safety regime. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
23-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Gandapur opens K-P's first food laboratory
In a landmark development for food safety and public health, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Wednesday inaugurated the province's first Provincial Food Testing Laboratory and Centre for Research in Hayatabad, Peshawar. The cutting-edge facility, constructed at a cost of Rs905 million under the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority (KPFS&HFA), is built to international ISO standards and aims to transform food testing and regulation across the province. Food Minister Zahir Shah Toru, Advisor to CM for Relief Naik Muhammad, Secretary Food, Secretary C&W, DG Food Authority Wasif Saeed, and other senior officials were present at the inauguration ceremony. The laboratory houses eight specialized units under a single roof and is backed by a centralized Management Information System (MIS) and a digital traceability system. These features are designed to enhance transparency, speed up lab result access, and facilitate data-driven decision-making for both consumers and businesses. According to Food Minister Zahir Shah Toru, the lab can analyze over 1,500 parameters in 100 different food and beverage categories. "This is a game-changer for the province. It ends our reliance on other provinces and private labs. With this facility, we can directly enhance the quality of food our people consume," he said. The facility is not only a testing center but also a hub for research, development, and policy guidance. Integrated with KPFS&HFA's operational teams in over 20 districts, the lab will process field samples efficiently and securely, ensuring quick turnaround on results. The lab's extensive scope includes microbiological analysis to detect harmful pathogens such as Salmonella, E coli, and Listeria, chemical analysis to detect adulterants and toxins like aflatoxins and formalin, as well as nutritional profiling for fat, protein, moisture, ash, and caloric content. It also supports Halal certification and meat speciation to detect non-permissible species such as pork, donkey, or dog meat. Advanced services include identifying antibiotic residues in meat and milk, heavy metals in water, and pesticide levels in fruits and vegetables. Equipped with advanced technology like GC-MS, AAS, ICP-OES, HPLC, UHPLC, and FTIR, the lab is on par with global standards. Director General KPFS&HFA Wasif Saeed praised the provincial leadership's commitment, stating, "The successful and timely completion of this laboratory reflects our government's dedication to ensuring safe, healthy, and halal food for all residents of K-P." This facility is expected to foster interdepartmental coordination with sectors like Public Health, Agriculture, Environment, and Livestock, contributing to preventive healthcare and environmental safety while setting a new benchmark for food quality regulation in Pakistan.
Express Tribune
10-07-2025
- Express Tribune
K-P rolls out ambitious immunisation drive
In a significant step towards improving child health outcomes, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has launched a province-wide Immunization Action Plan (IAP) aimed at achieving 90 per cent Full Immunization Coverage (FIC) for children by 2027. The initiative, targeting 12 vaccine-preventable diseases, reflects a renewed government commitment to tackling public health challenges, particularly in underserved and high-risk areas. The action plan was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Peshawar. Addressing the gathering, the CM emphasized that the immunization drive goes beyond routine health programming and is a critical part of the provincial government's broader public health and governance agenda. He stressed that the real challenge lies not in the formulation of the plan but in its effective implementation across all districts. "This is not just a plan on paperit is a pledge. The time for action is now, and the responsibility lies with every department, every official, and every frontline health worker," he said. Underscoring the urgency of the mission, the chief minister pointed out that Rs8 billion have been earmarked in the current budget to support the immunization initiative. He also acknowledged the continued support of development partners, stating that their collaboration remains vital in overcoming operational hurdles and reaching every child, regardless of location. "Together, we will rid this province of polio and all vaccine-preventable diseases," he declared. Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah shed light on the challenges the province faces, noting that K-P currently has the lowest immunization coverage in the country, with only 55 per cent of children fully immunized. He identified the southern districts as areas of concern due to both access and acceptance issues but insisted that improved institutional capacity, resources, and coordination mechanisms now provide a real opportunity for change. According to a detailed presentation during the event, the IAP seeks to vaccinate approximately 1.42 million children under the age of two annually. It outlines an eight-point strategy focusing on outreach to underserved communities, especially those in security-compromised or geographically remote areas. One of the major reforms under the plan is a substantial increase in transportation funding, rising from Rs80 million to Rs448 million over three years, to ensure that field teams can access even the most distant communities.
