Pakistan, July 4 -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed a complete ban on the manufacturing and use of substandard syringes across the country to curb the spread of infectious diseases like AIDS and Hepatitis C.

The prime minister, chairing a meeting to review the measures taken to prevent infectious diseases, ordered legal action against individuals and hospitals using substandard syringes or demonstrating criminal negligence in curbing their use.

He directed the formation of a special committee of experts to control infectious diseases and instructed the committee to hold consultations with the provinces while formulating its recommendations.

The prime minister directed the Ministry of Law to propose necessary amendments...