By C.R. Akbar Shah
Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has become one of the largest markets in Pakistan for low-quality and sub-standard products. Unlike the rest parts of Pakistan, GB does not have any food and drug testing laboratory. Similarly, the office of food control and quality control authority is non-existent in the mountainous region.
The supply of sub-standard products on daily basis without any check from authorities has become a high risk for the health of the local populace. Along with increasing cases of cancer, there is a high trend of liver, heart, and lung-related diseases attributed to the consumption of substandard industrial products.
A nexus between businessmen outside GB and local mafias is responsible for this burning issue in the area. Ironically, the health department is least bothered to look into this monster of sub-standard products despite having all information.
A few years back, the ratio of heart patients was very low. On the contrary, the current heart diseases are said to have increased by 80 percent. According to statistics, there is a significant increase in the different types of cancerous diseases mostly because of the use of substandard medicines and food products.
The local people lack awareness in connection with the consequences of the use of substandard products. Similarly, successive governments also have shown a lack of will and interest to fix the issue of substandard products. Despite orders from Supreme Appellate Court, the government has failed to establish a food and quality control office in Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to statistics, three fourth of the local population of GB is hit hard by the skyrocketing inflation rate. They cannot afford to buy high-quality goods. Consequently, they are compelled to buy substandard items, e.g. cooking oil, ghee, milk, tetra milk products, tea, biscuits, spices, soft drinks, and cosmetics. to meet the daily needs of life.
Presently, markets across Gilgit-Baltistan are filled with substandard and low-quality products with a serious health threat to the local populace. The government and concerned institutions need to awake from their deep sleep and act before it’s too late.
