Lahore: The district administration arrested 12 persons and imposed fines of Rs 268,000 on profiteers during 1,935 inspections conducted across the city over the last 24 hours as part of the ongoing price control campaign.
According to the district administration spokesperson, 46 cases of profiteering were detected and challans were issued against the violators. The arrests were made despite repeated warnings to refrain from overcharging.
Assistant commissioners, price control magistrates and PERA teams conducted inspections across the district to ensure the sale of essential commodities at officially notified rates.
In Allama Iqbal Town, 229 inspections resulted in 11 challans and Rs58,000 in fines, while Lahore Cantonment recorded 276 inspections, one challan and a Rs500 fine.
In Lahore City, 275 inspections led to three challans, Rs11,000 in fines and four arrests, whereas Model Town recorded 412 inspections, eight challans, Rs25,000 in fines and five arrests.
In Nishtar, 145 inspections resulted in two challans and Rs12,000 in fines, while Raiwind recorded 192 inspections, five challans and Rs135,000 in fines.
In Ravi Town, 149 inspections led to six challans and Rs12,000 in fines, while Sadar recorded 97 inspections, three challans and Rs9,500 in fines.
Three persons were arrested during 25 inspections in Shalimar, while Wahga recorded 135 inspections, seven challans and Rs5,000 in fines.
The administration also inspected 74 fruit and vegetable points and 38 chicken sale points to monitor prices and quality.
Deputy Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Ejaz directed the field teams to ensure the sale of commodities at notified rates and said profiteering and overcharging would not be tolerated. ‘Profiteering will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Daily inspections will help ensure stability in the market,’ he said.
The DC said quality commodities would be made available to citizens at officially notified rates, adding that no compromise would be made on the price control campaign. Citizens have been advised to lodge complaints regarding overcharging with the district administration’s control room at 03070002345.