Profiteers fined Rs45.8m; over 389,000 inspections held across Punjab

LAHORE: The Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department conducted more than 389,000 inspections across Punjab during the last one week and imposed fines exceeding Rs 45.8 million for overcharging and failure to display official rate lists.

These inspections were part of a province-wide crackdown against profiteers and hoarders launched by the department to ensure the availability of essential commodities at notified prices, Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khurshid said on Tuesday.

She said the crackdown had been initiated in line with the people-friendly vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. She said 57 cases were registered and 414 people arrested for violations of price-control laws. According to the secretary, 3,141 cases of failure to display rate lists and 22,606 cases of profiteering were reported during the period, following which immediate action was taken against violators.

She said the price control magistrates also conducted 83,345 inspections to ensure compliance with notified prices and prescribed weights of roti and flour across Punjab.

During these inspections, 33 cases were registered against those involved in overcharging for roti, 136 people arrested and fines exceeding Rs1.116 million imposed. Similarly, 15,692 locations were inspected to ensure the supply of flour at notified prices. One case was registered and nine people were arrested for violations.

The secretary said 18,992 inspections were conducted to monitor chicken meat prices. As many as 25 people involved in overcharging for broiler chicken were arrested, while fines exceeding Rs243,000 were imposed. She added that 9,480 inspections were carried out to monitor egg prices, resulting in the registration of two cases and arrest of 12 people for violations.

Dr Kiran said 17,574 locations were inspected to check the prices of Basmati rice while seven people were arrested for violating notified prices. She said action was also taken against profiteers involved in overcharging for mash, masoor, moong and gram pulses, with dozens of people arrested and fines exceeding Rs 311,000 imposed for overcharging.

The secretary said the price control magistrates also inspected 29,316 locations to monitor the prices of sugar and ghee, while 38 shops/premises were sealed for violations of the law.

Dr Kiran Khurshid said the crackdown would continue without discrimination to ensure the availability of essential commodities to consumers at notified prices. She warned that no one would be allowed to violate price-control laws and said strict action would continue against profiteers, hoarders and other elements involved in exploiting consumers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026