Lahore administration fines shopkeepers over profiteering, hoarding

LAHORE: The district administration in Lahore on Monday imposed penalties on shopkeepers accused of profiteering and hoarding during a citywide price enforcement drive, according to the administration.

Officials said teams carried out 3,245 inspections in markets and commercial areas across the city. During the operation, seven shopkeepers were arrested for repeatedly violating officially notified price lists, while fines totalling Rs194,000 were imposed.

According to the administration, price control magistrates conducted inspections at various outlets and also used surprise checks and dummy purchases to detect overcharging. Action was taken against 45 businesses found involved in serious violations related to prices and quality standards, while warnings were issued in cases described as minor infractions.

The administration said field teams had been deployed across Lahore under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Ali Ijaz to check artificial inflation and ensure implementation of government price lists. It added that maintaining the availability of quality food items at officially notified rates remained a priority.

Deputy Commissioner Ali Ijaz directed price control magistrates to intensify their field activity and ensure that official rate lists were displayed prominently at shops. He also said action against hoarders would continue under what he described as a zero-tolerance policy.

The deputy commissioner further warned that those selling substandard or expired food items would face strict legal action, adding that no leniency would be shown to people found exploiting consumers through overcharging.