The Price Control Committee in Kalat, Balochistan, has intensified its efforts to regulate prices and safeguard consumers during the sacred month of Ramadan, in accordance with the specific directives of Deputy Commissioner Munir Ahmed Durrani.
Supervised by Assistant Commissioner Tahir Sanjrani and Tehsildar Haji Abdul Ghaffar Lehri, the committee conducted thorough inspections throughout local markets.
Shopkeepers face fines for overpricing in Ramadan
Numerous shopkeepers faced fines and received warnings for not displaying official price lists as mandated by regulations.
Deputy Commissioner Munir Ahmed Durrani emphasised that the prices of essential goods have been lowered during Ramadan to offer relief to the public.
Traders have been directed to strictly comply with the official rate lists and to clearly display prices, enabling shoppers to make well-informed purchasing choices.
He warned that any efforts at overpricing or arbitrary pricing during Ramadan will be met with zero tolerance in the Kalat area.
The Price Control Committee will carry out daily market monitoring throughout Ramadan to ensure fairness and protect the interests of the public.
Control measures for overpricing across Pakistan
Earlier, the administration initiated a crackdown on profiteers in Taxila, Wah, and Attock through the deployment of special price magistrates, resulting in the arrest of 56 shopkeepers during the operation.
The shop owners were subsequently sentenced to three to five days in jail following a brief summary trial conducted on-site.
In Pakistan, food prices frequently escalate during Ramadan due to heightened demand and inefficiencies within the supply chain.
Assistant Commissioner of Taxila, Ms. Maryia Javaid, disclosed this information during a public address on Saturday regarding the anti-profiteering campaign implemented by the local administration during Ramadan.
She stated that the local administration has commenced a campaign aimed at curbing hoarding and profiteering, during which 45 shops were sealed for breaching the official price list and engaging in illegal profiteering, thereby taking advantage of consumers during the holy month with inflated prices.
