Non-Halal Food in Pakistani market
First, I would like to share my personal experience that forced me writing this blog. My conscience is always clear. I bought a pack of imported gummy candies in a super store and upon checking the ingredients label I saw “pork gelatin” was mentioned among others. I was shocked to see that how this product reached to the market? Obviously, the product has been cleared by the custom port.
Above described is a small case about candies but then what is the guarantee that the meat we are consuming from international food chains is properly slaughtered in slaughterhouses of other countries?
The world population exceeded 7 billion and Asia is the most populous continent, with its 4.3 billion people. There are about 1.57 billion Muslims in the world, and they comprise 24% of the global population. Over 60% of them live in Asia.
Pakistan is among those countries which are growing faster in population but developing slowly. The main reason behind the slower growth is the young generation of Pakistan, which is overwhelmed with fruitful ideas, but more than thousands of educated people left the country due to the failed system of governance with corruptions. Government departments are associated with bribes and superior posts are booked from feudal source to “Parchi system”.
Pakistan comes in South Asia; Karachi is the main port of Pakistan and all the major sea trade happens through this port. Unfortunately imported non-Halal foods make their way in the markets through this port. Custom departments may not be aware of these things or the ingredients in the foods may not be properly labeled or may be the officers on those posts are not duly qualified. Second reason is the absence of city district government or local government system in the country. In developed countries, it is food inspectors’ responsibility to keep eyes on the food ingredients, quality and prices which come under local government.
Current Punjab’s government has decreased the dry port charges; therefore, most of the goods are coming through road transportation in Karachi. The imported animal/ poultry feeds are mostly rich with swine proteins, enzymes and bone, which are also used as supplement for growth. Many food items are derived from the swine gelatin such as gummy candies and medicines. Reportedly, Punjab’s chief minister’s son owns the major chunk of Poultry feeds trade.
Qur’an says, O you people! Eat of what is on earth lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the evil one (Shaytan) for he is to you an avowed enemy. (Surah 2:168). See this link for the knowledge, why Allah prohibited this animal.
According to law, serving alcohol and swine to Muslims is illegal. But there is no law which can clearly define the restrictions about manufacturing and marketing the food which has been prepared by the non-Halal ingredients like swine gelatin, alcohol and lard in the food.
Federal and provincial governments have announced to lift ban from government jobs but as usual “nepotism” is the only criteria to fill these jobs. If only we had the democracy in which state was protecting the rights of citizens rather than protecting the interest of a certain class consist of oligarchies. We need the right people in the parliament who can do law making for above described issue and also need to hire people on merit on all the positions like custom and inspection.