Punjab Price Control Magistrates Conduct Over 427,000 Inspections
By Muhammad Shahzad Lahore Pakistan LAHORE: Price Control Magistrates across Punjab conducted more than 427,000 inspections of markets and businesses between September 14 and 20, 2026, imposing fines exceeding Rs114.95 million for violations, Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khursheed said. She said a total of 1,634 Price Control Magistrates conducted 427,587 inspections…
By Muhammad Shahzad Lahore Pakistan
LAHORE: Price Control Magistrates across Punjab conducted more than 427,000 inspections of markets and businesses between September 14 and 20, 2026, imposing fines exceeding Rs114.95 million for violations, Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khursheed said.
She said a total of 1,634 Price Control Magistrates conducted 427,587 inspections to monitor the prices of essential commodities and take action against overcharging and profiteering.
According to official data, 75 cases were registered over overcharging, 334 people were arrested, and 30 business premises were sealed during the inspection campaign.
Dr Kiran Khursheed said more than 5,000 cases of profiteering involving food items were detected during inspections. Legal action was taken against those found violating notified prices, while fines were also imposed.
Regarding bread prices, authorities imposed Rs640,000 in fines, registered 26 FIRs and arrested 70 people.
During inspections of chicken prices and sales, Rs220,000 in fines were imposed for violations of notified prices, while six cases were registered.
For flour, officials conducted 13,101 inspections, during which 556 cases of overcharging were reported.
A total of 8,902 inspections were conducted to monitor tomato prices, resulting in 797 cases of profiteering and fines amounting to Rs129,000.
For onions, officials carried out 7,011 inspections, detecting 585 cases of overcharging and arresting 24 people.
The secretary said prices of rice and pulses were also being closely monitored. As many as 15,388 inspections were conducted to check basmati rice prices, resulting in 775 cases of profiteering.
Similarly, 28,180 inspections were conducted to monitor pulse prices, during which 1,403 cases of overcharging were detected and fines exceeding Rs327,000 were imposed.
Dr Kiran Khursheed said Price Control Magistrates had also sealed 30 business premises during inspections conducted across different markets in Punjab.
She said market inspections were continuing across the province to monitor the prices of essential commodities, curb overcharging and profiteering, and ensure that consumers receive goods at officially notified rates.
