Ehsan Wali’s Shocking Claims on Milk, Meat, and Rice in Pakistan

Islamabad:Ehsan Wali, the leader of the Awami National Party (ANP), has made some startling and concerning claims about the state of food safety and quality in Pakistan during a Senate Standing Committee on National Food and Security meeting.

According to Ehsan Wali, Pakistan’s milk production is far below the actual consumption, with 78% of the milk in the market being adulterated with chemicals and mixed with water. He further revealed that plastic rice is being sold in Pakistan, and dog, donkey, and frog meat are being sold in various parts of the country.

These alarming statements have sparked a debate over the accuracy of his claims. To shed light on this, discussions were held with experts from the dairy farming and meat industries, as well as a rice mill owner.

**Dairy Concerns:**
Shahbaz Rasool Waraich, Chief Organizer of the Pakistan Dairy Farmers Association, commented on the milk issue, explaining that much of the milk sold in Pakistan is not fresh but processed from powdered milk mixed with chemicals and water. He highlighted that, in the winter, about 55% of the milk is adulterated, while in the summer, this figure rises to 70-75%. Waraich also confirmed that official figures on livestock in Pakistan have not been updated for nearly two decades, with only rough estimates being presented. He added that the country’s milk production can only meet about 25% of the demand, with the rest being supplemented by processed or powdered milk.

**Meat Claims Denied:**
Regarding the claim of dog, donkey, and frog meat being sold, Raja Latif, founder of Signature Meat, dismissed the allegations as baseless and part of a social media propaganda. He emphasized that while donkey meat was reported to be sold in Lahore around 2015-16, it has since ceased, and any videos circulating showing the slaughter of donkeys are from China, where donkey hides are exported. According to Raja Latif, the government has also set up a dedicated slaughterhouse in Gwadar for exporting donkeys to China, and no such practice is allowed anywhere else in the country. He reassured that food authorities like the Punjab Food Authority and Islamabad Food Authority strictly regulate meat sales, making it impossible to sell meat from prohibited animals.

**Plastic Rice Myths:**
On the matter of plastic rice, Sardar Umair Haider, a rice mill owner, explained that rice in Pakistan cannot be made from plastic. He stated that while some hybrid rice varieties may appear rubbery or tough, they are still legitimate rice. Furthermore, to preserve rice, some treatments like spraying may lead to slight toxicity, but there is no plastic rice in the market. He clarified that Pakistan’s rice is widely exported and appreciated globally, particularly Basmati rice, which is highly valued.

In conclusion, while some of Ehsan Wali’s claims may be exaggerated or misleading, concerns about food safety and quality, especially regarding dairy products and rice, remain valid and warrant closer scrutiny by the authorities.