Fake fertilizer factory sealed, six arrested

MULTAN, Jun 18 (APP):A major crackdown against counterfeit agricultural inputs led to the busting of an illegal fertilizer manufacturing unit in Multan, where authorities arrested six suspects and seized fake fertilizer, raw materials and machinery worth over Rs 4.6 million.

The operation was carried out by the Agriculture Department on the directives of Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani and Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo as part of an ongoing province-wide campaign against fake, unregistered and adulterated fertilizers.

According to official sources, a raid was conducted on an unregistered fertilizer factory located on Bahawalpur-Sukha Road in Multan. During the operation, officials recovered 100 bags of unregistered fertilizer along with a large quantity of raw materials and machinery used in the production of counterfeit fertilizer.

The total value of the seized fertilizer, equipment and raw materials was estimated at more than Rs 4.6 million.

Meanwhile, the team also arrested six individuals identified as Abrar Hussain, Muhammad Shahzad, Muhammad Ashfaq, Muhammad Azam, Fayyaz and Imtiaz on the spot. The illegal factory was sealed, while all recovered items were handed over to police for further legal proceedings.

Assistant Director Agriculture (Extension) Multan Muhammad Asadullah Khan filed a complaint for registration of a case at Muzaffarabad Police Station.

A spokesperson for the Punjab Agriculture Department said strict action was being taken against elements involved in the economic exploitation of farmers, adding that no leniency would be shown to those engaged in the production, storage and sale of fake agricultural inputs.

He said the department’s province-wide crackdown against counterfeit fertilizers, substandard pesticides and uncertified seeds was continuing under a zero-tolerance policy to safeguard farmers’ interests and agricultural productivity.