Crackdown Launched Across Punjab Against Illegal Profiteers, Hoarders Ahead of Ramazan

By Muhammad Shahzad | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: The Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department has launched a province-wide crackdown against illegal profiteers and hoarders ahead of the holy month of Ramazan, Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khurshid said on Wednesday.
She said price control magistrates carried out inspections at more than 363,000 locations across Punjab over the past three days. As a result, action was taken against over 21,000 individuals involved in overcharging essential commodities. Authorities registered 38 cases, arrested 437 profiteers, and imposed fines exceeding Rs109.02 million.
According to Dr Khurshid, special inspections were conducted at 20,386 locations to ensure the availability of flour at officially notified prices. During these operations, action was taken against more than 1,100 flour profiteers, 31 individuals were arrested, and fines amounting to Rs620,000 were imposed.
She said enforcement teams also acted against 1,480 butchers involved in overcharging for broiler meat. As a result, five cases were registered, 31 broiler sellers were arrested, and fines exceeding Rs772,000 were imposed.
To ensure the supply of bread at government-notified prices, raids were conducted at more than 61,600 hotels and tandoors across the province. Authorities took action against 5,450 naan bakers and hotel owners for selling bread at inflated prices, registering six cases, arresting 118 individuals, and imposing fines exceeding Rs1.477 million.
The secretary said the Punjab government has also tightened action against sugar profiteers. Enforcement measures were taken against 863 sugar hoarders and profiteers, two cases were registered, 23 individuals were arrested, and fines exceeding Rs4.085 million were imposed.
Dr Kiran Khurshid warned that strict legal action would continue throughout Ramazan against hoarding and illegal profiteering, stressing that no leniency would be shown. She added that district-level committees have been formed to ensure the availability of essential food items at officially notified prices during the holy month.