Overpricing: Raids conducted at over 69,000 locations across Punjab

LAHORE: Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khurshid has said that, on the directions of the Chief Minister of Punjab, price control magistrates carried out a major crackdown on the third day of Ramazan.

According to details, raids were conducted at more than 69,000 locations across the province. During these operations, strict action was taken against 5,258 profiteers for overcharging. 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 for overpricing. She added that 1,601 price control magistrates are fully active in all districts of Punjab against profiteering. They have been directed to ensure the availability of food items at officially fixed prices in markets and to show no leniency towards profiteers and hoarders.

Later, an emergency meeting of Punjab’s market committees was convened under the chairmanship of Dr Kiran Khurshid. The meeting issued instructions to further improve the transparency and timeliness of the auction system for fruits and vegetables in all markets of Punjab. It was directed that the presence of market committee representatives during auctions has been made mandatory.

It was also informed that auctions in markets are being monitored round the clock through body cameras and geo-tagging to eliminate artificial price hikes during Ramazan.

Secretaries of the market committees briefed the meeting that auctions of fruits and vegetables in all Punjab markets are continuing according to notified rates and there is no shortage in supply. They added that bananas are being brought from Sindh and are available in ample quantity at notified prices, while apples are currently out of season; however, cold storage stocks are ensuring continuous supply according to demand.

The public has been advised to prefer seasonal fruits and vegetables instead of out-of-season items to avoid an unusual surge in demand.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026