Metro53 - LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister’s Special Assistant on Food Safety and Consumer Protection Salma Butt has said that she is not afraid of threats and intimidation, adding that her commitment to public service remains unwavering despite challenges faced during enforcement operations.
Speaking in a podcast hosted by senior journalist Farrukh Shahbaz Warraich, Ms Butt recalled an incident during an operation at a market where individuals allegedly warned her that “killing someone is not a problem in Pakistan.” She said that despite the threats, she visited the site early the next morning accompanied only by her driver and found that nothing untoward had happened.
“I am not someone who can be intimidated by threats,” she said, adding that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had always extended her full support in carrying out her responsibilities.
Ms Butt also shared personal insights during the conversation, describing Pakistan Muslim League-N President Nawaz Sharif as her favourite politician. She said she closely followed his political journey and considered him an important source of inspiration.
The special assistant made several lighter revelations as well, saying she had never eaten food from KFC and knew how to make traditional flatbread using a pressure cooker. She added that mutton remained her preferred choice of meat.
Discussing law enforcement reforms in Punjab, Ms Butt credited the establishment of the Crime Control Department (CCD) and the para force for helping reduce crime and violations of law in various parts of the province. However, she stressed that accountability remained essential, revealing that more than 500 para force personnel had been dismissed for misconduct, abuse of authority and violations of departmental rules.
Commenting on price control issues, she said that commercial activities and pricing on motorways did not fall under the jurisdiction of the Punjab government. According to her, instances where products priced at Rs30 were being sold for as much as Rs100 on motorway service areas came under the authority of the federal government.
Ms Butt reiterated that public service, transparency and enforcement of regulations would remain central to her work, adding that no amount of pressure would deter her from performing her duties.
