Ayesha Mumtaz, served as the former Director of Operations at the Punjab Food Authority in Pakistan. In her role, she played a crucial part in overseeing and managing operational activities related to food safety and hygiene in the province. Her tenure was marked by notable efforts to ensure the quality of food establishments through rigorous inspections and enforcement measures.
A Beacon of Hygiene and Quality in Punjab, Pakistan
Originating from a middle-income family in Lahore, Pakistan, Ms. Mumtaz is a member of the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) cadre. Her ascent to prominence occurred through the rigorous inspection of numerous restaurants and hotels, ensuring food quality and hygiene standards. She took decisive actions by sealing establishments that failed to meet the required standards and imposing fines on others engaged in unhygienic practices. The Government of Punjab, Pakistan, has lauded her efforts, and she has garnered widespread admiration from the people of Punjab. Notably, her unannounced inspections have instilled fear among food-sellers. Her popularity is further underscored by the support of her 61,000 Facebook fans.
Spearheading Data Collection Project on Loose Milk Supply in Lahore
On June 1, 2015, Ms. Mumtaz became a part of the Punjab Food Authority. In November of the same year, she spearheaded a collaborative project between the Punjab Food Authority, USAID, and the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore. The project, titled “Data Collection for the Assessment of Supply of Loose Milk in Lahore,” involved coordination with the Department of Dairy Technology and the Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition at UVAS.
Raiding Sharif Medical City in Fearless Pursuit of Public Welfare
Ayesha Mumtaz gained widespread acclaim for her unwavering dedication to ensuring food quality and safety. Notably, she even conducted raids on Sharif Medical City, a hospital associated with the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif. People expressed pleasant surprise in public comments published in newspapers, commending Mumtaz for her honesty, boldness, efficiency, and fearless approach during unannounced inspections. Her actions were perceived as a significant contribution to safeguarding the well-being and health of the common people.
Ayesha Mumtaz's Dismissal and the Impact on Food Safety Inspections in Lahore
In October 2016, Ayesha Mumtaz faced termination from her position amid allegations of corruption involving her driver. The Economist reported that she had accumulated adversaries within the food industry and among politically connected individuals. Following her dismissal, residents of Lahore noted a decline in food safety inspections, raising concerns about the continuity of robust measures in place since Mumtaz’s tenure.
Director General's Perspective, and the 104-Day Absence
During an interview with a newspaper reporter, Ayesha Mumtaz addressed the controversy surrounding her “leave issue.” She explained that the leave was necessary for the treatment of her parents and clarified that her departure was not prompted by any conflicts with the newly-appointed director general of Punjab Food Authority, Noorul Amin Mengal. Publicly, Mengal also acknowledged Mumtaz as a “good officer” and stated that her absence was due to personal reasons. The newspaper report further indicated that Mumtaz was on leave for a total of 104 days.
Addressing False Claims
In 2015, certain Pakistani news outlets circulated inaccurate rumors suggesting that Ayesha Mumtaz was one of the daughters of the late film comedian Saeed Khan Rangeela (1937 – 2005). Ayesha Mumtaz promptly dispelled these false rumors, asserting, “Rangeela was a legendary comedian actor, but I do not have any connection with him.