Commissioner orders crackdown on quack clinics, illegal LPG refilling in Chiniot

FAISALABAD, Pakistan, Sept 24 Digital Itla — Faisalabad Commissioner Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh has directed officials in Chiniot district to take action against unlicensed medical practitioners, illegal LPG refilling and the sale of substandard food products, officials said on Thursday.

Sheikh issued the directives during a meeting with district officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Chiniot. He said he was reviewing public welfare measures in the district on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

He directed the District Health Authority to launch an effective campaign against unqualified medical practitioners and take legal action against those operating unauthorised clinics and medical facilities.

The commissioner also asked health officials to improve awareness among patients suffering from hepatitis and other serious diseases about designated healthcare facilities to help ensure timely treatment. He directed the district administration to reduce, over the next three months, the average number of patients referred from government hospitals and health centres.

Sheikh ordered municipal authorities and the district council to prevent construction without approved building plans and called for action against officials responsible for failing to enforce building regulations.

He also directed Civil Defence officials to curb illegal LPG refilling and said commercial centres should not be allowed to carry out such activities. Public transport vehicles carrying LPG cylinders were also ordered not to leave bus terminals.

The commissioner instructed the Punjab Food Authority and Livestock Department to conduct a joint operation against the production and sale of substandard food items and the sale of dead poultry.

He also reviewed sanitation arrangements and ordered officials to maintain cleanliness across the district. Officials were directed to test water at schools and colleges.

Sheikh further ordered that trucks carrying sand or soil must be covered while travelling on roads, citing their contribution to air pollution and smog. He said legal action should be taken against leaseholders in case of violations.

He directed district officials to set targets for their departments and complete assigned tasks on schedule to improve public services.