Supply of Food Items at Government-Notified Prices to Be Ensured: Punjab Food Safety Department

By Dr. Ansab Ali
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: The Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department has intensified enforcement actions across the province to ensure the availability of essential food items at government-notified prices, conducting raids at more than 155,000 locations over the past three days.
According to a department spokesperson, action was taken against 8,938 profiteers found involved in overcharging essential commodities. As a result, 17 cases were registered, 246 individuals were arrested, and fines exceeding Rs 8.8 million were imposed.
To ensure the supply of flour at fixed prices, price control magistrates inspected more than 9,000 locations across Punjab. Action was taken against 441 individuals involved in flour profiteering, with one case registered, 12 arrests made, and fines of over Rs 307,000 imposed.
The spokesperson said a province-wide crackdown is also underway against butchers selling broiler chicken meat at inflated prices. Enforcement teams took action against 700 butchers, arresting 22 of them for overcharging.
Operations against overpricing of bread have also been stepped up. More than 12,900 hotels and tandoors were inspected, and strict action was taken against over 1,300 hotel owners and naan bakers found selling bread at higher-than-notified prices. In this category, four cases were registered and 24 arrests were made.
Since the start of the new year, the department has further intensified action against the sugar mafia. Raids were conducted at 8,400 locations, leading to legal action against 724 individuals involved in sugar profiteering. One case was registered, 18 people were arrested, and fines amounting to Rs 450,000 were imposed.
The spokesperson said ensuring the provision of affordable, quality and hygienic food to the people of Punjab remains the government’s top priority. He warned that no leniency will be shown to profiteers, hoarders and food adulteration mafias, who will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.