No signs of bacterial contamination in chicken meat, SC told

LAHORE: A three-member special bench of the Supreme Court is hearing several cases of public interest at the Lahore registry on Saturday.

At the outset of court proceedings today, the bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, heard a suo motu case pertaining to sale of contaminated chicken meat.

During the court proceedings, a report based on tests of chicken meat available in the markets of Punjab was submitted to the court.

In light of the report findings, the bench was informed that the meat is not hazardous to human health and no signs of bacterial contamination have been found.

To which, Justice Nisar expressed gratification.

The Director General (DG) Punjab Food Authority (PFA) informed the bench that his department would prepare standard operating procedure (SOP) within a month and train the staff to conduct visits to poultry farms across the province.

Previously, the CJP had formed a three-member committee to collect samples of chicken feed and undertake the test. Justice Nisar observed that chicken meat, available in Punjab markets, was triggering hormonal changes in the human body.

The hearing was then adjourned till March 9.

Disposal of hospital waste

Supreme Court’s amicus curiae Ayesha Hamid presented the report compiled on the disposal of hospital waste before the bench.

Why does the government spring into action after court’s notice?, Justice Nisar asked.

The government should have paid attention to the problem before the notice, the CJP remarked.

He inquired about the company granted contract to lift the hospital waste in Lahore.

At which, the Chief Secretary Punjab said the contract has been given to Ali Traders Company.

The CJP then sought a detailed report pertaining to the contract granted to aforementioned company within 15 days.

The bench then adjourned the hearing of suo motu case.

More cases to be heard today

The court will also take up cases including provision of clean drinking water, fee structure of the private medical colleges, condition of public sector hospitals, allocation of advertisements to print and electronic media by all provincial governments, corruption in LDA-City housing schemes and air pollution.

The top court has summoned the Attorney General of Pakistan and advocate generals of all the provinces to ensure their presence during the court proceedings today.

Moreover, TV anchorperson Dr. Shahid Masood is also expected to appear before the court today in Zainab rape and murder case.

Earlier in December last year, Justice Nisar took exception to deteriorating standards of the law education and summoned the vice chancellors of the public sector universities of Punjab along with details of the private law colleges affiliated with them.

The CJP then asserted that he would fix prevailing civic-issues within six months even if he had to conduct the hearing of cases on weekends.