Secretary of Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr. Kiran Khurshid has said that, on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, price control magistrates launched a major crackdown across the province on the third day of Ramazan.
According to official details, raids were conducted at more than 69,000 locations across Punjab. During the operations, strict action was taken against 5,258 profiteers for overcharging consumers.
Cases were registered against 54 individuals for illegal profiteering, while 1,307 people were arrested.
Dr. Kiran Khurshid stated that fines amounting to Rs. 9.23 million were imposed. She added that 1,601 price control magistrates are actively working in all districts of Punjab to curb profiteering.
They have been directed to ensure the availability of essential food items at officially notified prices and to show zero tolerance towards hoarders and violators.
Emergency Meeting of Market Committees
An emergency meeting of Punjab’s market committees was later convened under Dr. Kiran Khurshid’s chairmanship.
The meeting issued instructions to enhance transparency and improve the timeliness of the auction system for fruits and vegetables in markets across the province.
It was made mandatory for market committee representatives to remain present during auctions.
Authorities also informed the meeting that auctions are being monitored round the clock through body cameras and geo-tagging to prevent artificial price hikes during Ramazan.
Market committee secretaries briefed the participants that auctions are continuing at officially notified rates and there is no shortage of supply.
Bananas are being transported from Sindh and are available in sufficient quantities at fixed prices, while apples are currently out of season; however, cold storage stocks are ensuring continued availability based on demand.
The public has been advised to prefer seasonal fruits and vegetables instead of out-of-season items to avoid unusual spikes in demand and prices.
