LAHORE: The price control magistrates across Punjab conducted more than 427,000 inspections of markets and businesses between September 14 and 20, 2026, imposing fines of over Rs 114.95 million for violations, according to Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khursheed.
She said 1,634 price control magistrates carried out 427,587 inspections to monitor prices of essential commodities and take action against overcharging and profiteering.
According to the data, 75 cases were registered against overcharging, 334 people were arrested and 30 business premises were sealed during the operations.
Dr Kiran Khursheed said more than 5,000 cases of profiteering were reported during inspections of food items. Legal action was taken against people found involved in overcharging, while fines were also imposed. Regarding bread prices, Rs 640,000 in fines were imposed, while 26 FIRs were registered and 70 people were arrested.
During inspections of chicken prices and sales, Rs 220,000 in fines were imposed for violations of notified prices and six cases were registered.
For flour, prices were checked at 13,101 locations, where 556 cases of overcharging were reported. A total of 8,902 inspections were conducted to check tomato prices, resulting in 797 cases of profiteering and fines of Rs129,000. During inspections of onion prices, 7,011 checks were conducted, with 585 cases of overcharging reported and 24 people arrested.
The secretary said prices of rice and pulses were also being closely monitored. As many as 15,388 inspections were conducted to check the price of basmati rice during which 775 cases of profiteering were reported.
Similarly, 28,180 inspections were conducted to check pulse prices, resulting in 1,403 cases of overcharging and fines of more than Rs327,000. Dr Kiran Khursheed said the price control magistrates had also sealed 30 business premises during inspections of different markets across Punjab. She said market inspections were continuing to monitor prices of essential commodities and ensure their availability to consumers at notified rates.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026