Punjab records historic 50% Ramazan price cut, launches PIFTAC to tighten security

• CM Maryam Nawaz conducts comprehensive, item-by-item review of prices of fruits, vegetables, flour, chicken and other essential commodities

• Informed essential commodity prices drop to lowest levels in years across province as over 3.5m shoppers visited Ramazan Negahban bazaars in five days

• Punjab becomes first province to set up Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre

 LAHORE: A special meeting chaired by Maryam Nawaz Sharif was informed that, for the first time in Punjab’s history, prices of essential commodities have declined by more than 50 per cent during Ramazan.

The chief minister conducted a comprehensive, item-by-item review of prices of fruits, vegetables, flour, chicken and other essential commodities across the province. She lauded the collective performance of the departments concerned in achieving the price reduction and urged citizens to avoid purchasing goods from outlets that fail to display official rate lists. She also directed the authorities to further enhance the supply of vegetables, fruits and other essential items, particularly in Lahore.

The meeting was told that onion prices have dropped to their lowest level since 2022, while the prices of ginger, garlic, lemons and several other items have also declined. Compared with last year, a clear and sustained downward trend in the prices of essential commodities is being witnessed across the province.

During the first five days of Ramazan, more than 3.5 million people visited 49 Ramazan Negahban bazaars, where 2.1 million tonnes of food items were sold. Citizens saved approximately Rs30 million through subsidised purchases at these bazaars. For the first time, fruits, vegetables, flour and chicken are being provided in Murree at rates even lower than the Rawalpindi DC rates. Senior citizen camps have been established at the bazaars, facilitating around 10,000 elderly shoppers.

The briefing further stated that 1,549 sale points have been set up by flour mills across the province, where 10kg flour bags are being sold at a subsidised rate of Rs850. In the open market, a 10kg flour bag is available at Rs905, while a 20kg bag is being sold at Rs1,810.

A total of 421 Negahban Ramazan dastarkhwans served iftar to 462,000 fasting individuals, offering chicken pulao, samosas, pakoras, fruit, water and dates. Monitoring of cooking centres preparing food for these dastarkhwans is also under way.

During Sehr and Iftar timings, the Punjab Food Authority conducted inspections at 9,440 locations and discarded 29,000kg of substandard food. Meanwhile, price control magistrates, the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority and other teams carried out inspections at 338,000 points across the province. Fines amounting to nearly Rs37.5 million were imposed on 1,965 shopkeepers for not displaying rate lists and on 24,600 for overcharging. Cases were registered against 313 violators, while 2,870 arrests were made.

Punjab becomes first province to establish PIFTAC

Punjab has become the first province to establish the Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre (PIFTAC). Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited the Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Assessment Centre, where she was given a detailed briefing on PIFTAC and the overall law and order situation.

During the briefing, it was decided—for the first time—to establish an anti-drone unit in Punjab, a move that received the chief minister’s approval. She also directed the immediate establishment of a cybercrime cell in the province.

The chief minister ordered continuous combing operations across Punjab to ensure the protection of life and property, and instructed authorities to take immediate steps for installing state-of-the-art digital scanners at all entry and exit points of the province.

A special dashboard has also been introduced for deputy commissioners of all districts to ensure effective monitoring and protection of citizens’ lives and property. The chief minister further directed that the whistleblower system be strengthened to curb terrorism and criminal activities.

She said an AI hub would be established within PIFTAC to enhance cyber security and other operational capabilities. Emphasising a proactive approach, she directed that instead of reacting to terrorist incidents, authorities must adopt a policy of pre-emptive action.

Maryam Nawaz said the government aims to make Punjab the safest province in the country and will utilise all available resources to ensure the protection of the public.