Lahore – Authorities in Punjab have recovered a massive cache of unsafe meat during coordinated raids on illegal slaughterhouses, prompting fresh warnings to the public over serious health risks.
In targeted operations carried out in the Newal and Mianwali districts, teams from the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) and the Livestock Department confiscated thousands of kilograms of meat sourced from diseased animals. The contaminated stock was destroyed on-site, while multiple criminal cases have been registered against those running the unlawful facilities.
According to the PFA, raids in Newal’s Block No. 2 and Lakar Mandi areas led to the seizure of 7,000 kilograms of substandard meat destined for distribution to various districts. In a bid to evade detection, the owners reportedly stashed large chunks of meat under beds and inside household drawers — but inspectors recovered the entire haul before it could enter the market.
Director of Operations (South) Zubair Ahmed Ijaz revealed that the slaughterhouses had been under surveillance for several days, culminating in the arrests and registration of cases against seven suspects.
Meanwhile, in Piplan, Mianwali, PFA teams dismantled three more illegal slaughterhouses. Around 10 maunds of inferior-quality meat were destroyed on the spot, following an inspection by veterinary experts who deemed it “extremely hazardous” for human consumption.
A PFA spokesperson confirmed that the province-wide crackdown is being carried out on the orders of the Punjab Chief Minister. Citizens are urged to report any suspected sale of unsafe meat by calling the authority’s helpline at 1223.
