Punjab authorities take action against 1,500 profiteers over three days

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection department has intensified its campaign against overpricing of essential goods, taking action against 1,500 profiteers in the past three days, according to Secretary Dr Kiran Khurshid.

Dr Khurshid stated that the department registered 65 cases and arrested approximately 1,075 individuals for profiteering. In addition, 675 shopkeepers were fined for failing to display the official rate list. Magistrates from the department imposed fines totaling around Rs5.56 million on those found violating pricing regulations.

As part of the ongoing crackdown, price control magistrates inspected 10,979 broiler chicken shops, resulting in more than 10 cases being registered and over 80 shopkeepers arrested. Fines amounting to Rs469,000 were imposed on these violators.

Dr Khurshid emphasized that the government is working to increase the number of price control magistrates to ensure that essential items are sold at fixed prices. She added that, "Action will continue after Ramazan."

The department's efforts are part of a broader initiative to curb profiteering and ensure the availability of daily-use items at government-mandated rates. The campaign is expected to persist beyond the holy month, with authorities aiming to strengthen enforcement measures in the coming weeks.