KARACHI — A startling report submitted to the Sindh High Court (SHC) has revealed that all milk samples collected across Karachi were declared unfit for human consumption by the Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), raising serious concerns over widespread adulteration and public health risks.
The findings were shared with a two-judge constitutional bench headed by Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry during proceedings on a 2023 petition challenging the official pricing of fresh milk. The report, submitted on behalf of the Karachi commissioner, stated that formalin was detected in 22 samples, while phosphate — another harmful additive — was found in eight, highlighting “extensive adulteration” throughout the supply chain.
According to the commissioner’s report, milk consumption typically declines in winter, and there was therefore “no justification” for any price increase. The court was informed that the official price of fresh milk had been revised after consultations with all stakeholders, with the most recent notification issued on Nov 27 setting the maximum retail price at Rs220 per litre. Retailers were also strictly instructed to ensure quality compliance and maintain accurate measurements.
The report noted that unhygienic practices by farmers, wholesalers and retailers were a key factor behind the contamination. A citywide inspection campaign was initiated at the request of a milk retailers’ association, after which samples were sent to the PSQCA for testing — and all were declared hazardous for human consumption.
In a meeting held on Nov 20, PSQCA representatives reiterated that the poor hygiene and handling standards of the supply chain were responsible for the adulteration. The commissioner told the court that milk sellers’ associations had been directed to jointly draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure safer handling and hygiene practices. These SOPs were submitted to the commissioner’s office on Nov 25.
PSQCA finds formalin and phosphate in samples. https://t.co/EtsPueLG13
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 3, 2025
The report also mentioned that a representative from the Bureau of Supply & Prices had observed that milk-related product consumption typically falls during winter months, and therefore prices were expected to decline further in the coming weeks.
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Despite the severity of the findings, no representative appeared in court on behalf of the petitioner to contest the report. The bench formally placed the document on record.
The petition had originally been filed by a dairy farmer challenging an October 2023 notification that set milk prices below what he claimed was justified by the government’s own pricing formula. In May, the SHC had instructed the commissioner to give all stakeholders—including the petitioner—a fair hearing and revise prices in accordance with the law. The court had also directed the commissioner to submit a compliance report within one month.
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