Islamabad Trails Rawalpindi In Food Safety Infrastructure, Staffing

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jul, 2025) Islamabad Food Authority faces serious operational challenges in carrying out effective food safety enforcement, hampered by limited staff, minimal infrastructure, and the absence of essential testing facilities.

In sharp contrast, the Rawalpindi Food Authority operates with significantly better resources, including more vehicles, trained personnel, and fully equipped labs—enabling it to enforce food safety regulations more efficiently across the district.

Both the Islamabad and Rawalpindi Food Authorities are tasked with regulating an estimated 30,000 food businesses each. However, the difference in their capacity to enforce food safety standards is striking.

The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) operates with just one field vehicle and 10 technical staff members. It lacks a food testing laboratory, training institute, mobile food labs, and a designated public relations officer. While the number of non-technical staff is reported to range between 20 and 50, the authority’s limited technical expertise and lack of mobility severely restrict its operational reach.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Food Authority (RFA) is equipped with 10 vehicles, 30 technical staff, a dedicated food testing lab, training school, and two mobile testing labs—allowing for routine field inspections and on-the-spot sampling.

Speaking to this reporter, IFA's sources, acknowledged the constraints: “Our team covers the city as best as possible with the available resources.

We’re committed to ensuring food safety despite the limitations.”

However, food vendors in various parts of Islamabad, particularly Farooqia Market (F-6), say that in addition to operational shortages, the licensing process is being disrupted by external interference.

Multiple shopkeepers alleged that Khalid Chaudhry, identified as a former member of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce, discourages businesses from obtaining food licenses. They claim he uses the name of the Chief Commissioner to apply pressure and has reportedly misbehaved with inspection teams.

“His interference delays the process and affects everyone,” said a local trader. “He’s making it difficult for us to comply with the law.”

The shopkeepers have called on relevant authorities to investigate and take disciplinary action against any individuals obstructing the food authority’s work, warning that such behavior undermines regulatory efforts and public safety.

The difference in capacity between the two food authorities highlights the need for urgent resource allocation. Public health experts stress that trained personnel, mobile testing units, and a permanent food lab are essential for timely inspections and quality control in the capital.

Until such resources are provided, food safety regulation in Islamabad will remain limited—leaving both enforcement teams and the public at a disadvantage.

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