The imported palm oil scam, which was under observation for the last eight years, is likely to be resolved shortly. This was stated by Dr Sagheer Ahmed, Minister for Health was along with Special Secretary, Health, District Office, City District Government Karachi (CDGK) and Deputy Secretary, Health at a press briefing at Provincial Finance Department on Friday.
He said the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) had seized some 1000 metric ton of palm oil consignment imported in two containers in March 17, 1999 and had filed a case against accused importers. He said the case had also been filed in the High Court when customs court had decided the case against MCC and added that the court had asked the health ministry to intervene in the matter.
He said Supreme Court had also given the same verdict and had asked the health ministry to refine the whole consignment before issuing a fitness certificate. He said health ministry had earlier sent its sample to HEJ chemical lab for examination. "In accordance with the sample of the imported palm oil, the lab did not find any contamination in it", according to the lab report. "Although the lab has not found any harmful substance, but it had expressed doubt that the original sample taken from the seized containers had a chance to be replaced", report further said.
Keeping all this in view, a four-member committee has been constituted to probe into the matter. Four labs, including CDGK food lab, PSQCA, HEJ and PCSIR have been taken on board and they have been allowed to take their own samples in the presence of the concerned authority to ensure transparency in the whole process, Dr Sagheer said.
To a question, he said that around 100 metric ton of palm oil was found substandard, but not harmful for human consumption. However, all the shipment was not categorised but was dumped in the same container, which made all shipment suspicious. Therefore, the committee has been constituted to monitor the whole process.
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