LAHORE (Dunya News) - Authorities in Punjab have intensified their crackdown against profiteers, conducting more than 80,000 inspections across the province on the sixth day of Ramadan.
According to Secretary Food Safety Dr Kiran Khurshid, strict legal action is under way against 5,883 individuals found involved in overcharging consumers. A total of 73 cases have been registered, while 650 people have been arrested for profiteering and price violations.
Dr Khurshid said fines exceeding Rs11.6 million had been imposed on those engaged in unlawful profiteering. She reiterated that the government would maintain zero tolerance against artificial price hikes, particularly during the holy month when demand for essential commodities increases significantly.
The secretary added that special focus had been placed on poultry markets. In a single day, price control magistrates carried out raids at more than 4,300 locations selling chicken meat across Punjab.
Action was taken against 916 butchers involved in overcharging for broiler meat. In addition, four formal cases were registered specifically over excessive pricing of chicken meat, leading to the arrest of 55 individuals.
Officials stated that monitoring teams were actively ensuring compliance with officially notified prices of essential items, including poultry, fruit, vegetables and daily-use groceries.
The provincial administration has vowed to continue strict enforcement throughout Ramadan to protect consumers from exploitation and to stabilise market prices.