LAHORE: The All Pakistan Tobacco Association (APTA) on Friday held a protest against Punjab Food Authority’s (PFA) decision to ban the sale of betel nuts (chaliya). Angry protesters chanted slogans and held placards and banners in their hands. They said that if the government did not reverse its decision, they would hold a countrywide protest. They said that a large number of families had been disturbed due to the PFA’s decision. Following the protest, PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal constituted a five-member committee for holding negotiations with the protesters and invited them to his office for resolving the issue. “PFA is a well-wisher of food industry. Our purpose is not to disturb the business community,” he said. Separately, the Punjab Food Festival 2018 will start on Saturday (today) in Expo Centre, Hall-I. More than 150 stalls of food business operators and multinational and national food companies will be set up at the event. In the festival, 25percent discount on all food items will be offered to students and senior citizens. Special medical counters will also part of the festival. PFA’s nutritionists will tell the visitors about their diet plan and give health tips. This was disclosed by PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal while visiting the Expo Centre for reviewing the arrangements of the festival. He expressed satisfaction over the arrangements. “This is first initiative of PFA which is going to open for food lovers, food business operators and from different walks of life people under PFA umbrella,” he said. The festival will feature live cooking, pottery, fun zone and bird show for children. The purpose of the PFA is to ensure the sale of quality food. The DG vowed to continue the food festival programme in future and to hold an international food expo in Pakistan. Published in Daily Times, February 17th 2018.