Day: July 27, 2026

Sargodha: The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP), in a joint operation with the district administration and Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA), on Sunday imposed heavy fines on 12 shops and sealed three premises for overcharging at the Sial More Service Area.

According to a spokesperson of NHMP, the action was conducted under the supervision of the Assistant Commissioner Kot Momin at KM-137 (Northbound and Southbound) to curb profiteering and protect the rights of travelers.

During the inspection, Gourmet Bakery (North Side) was fined Rs 100, 000 and sealed, while Sultani Dera Tuck Shop (North Side) was also fined Rs 100, 000 and sealed for violating the official price list.

Dukan Mart (North Side) was fined Rs 25, 000 and subsequently sealed, the spokesperson added.

The enforcement team also penalized several other outlets including C-Mart (South Side) with Rs 30, 000, C-Mart (North Side) with Rs 60, 000, AM-PM (South Side) with Rs 25, 000, and AM-PM (North Side) with Rs 50, 000. Additionally, Multani Dera Tuck Shop, Shop 24/7, and Sweet and Spicy were among those fined for overcharging.

The total fine amount collected during the operation reached Rs 525, 000.

The spokesperson further stated that the action against Gourmet Bakery followed a viral social media video highlighting overcharging complaints, which were proven true during the field verification.

The NHMP and district authorities warned that indiscriminate operations against profiteers at motorway service areas would continue to ensure consumers are not exploited by vendors.

Rawalpindi: Additional Deputy Commissioner General (ADCG) Rawalpindi Maliha Sehar has reiterated that ensuring stability in prices of essential commodities and providing relief to the public remain the top priorities of the district administration.

She made these remarks while chairing a meeting of the District Price Control Committee held at the DC Complex Rawalpindi.

The meeting was attended by committee members, officials from relevant departments, and representatives of various stakeholders.

During the meeting, a detailed review was conducted of the prices of essential goods across the district, measures taken for price control, the prevailing market situation and steps being implemented to facilitate relief for citizens.

ADCG Maliha Sehar directed officials to ensure strict implementation of prices fixed by the Punjab government and ordered continued action against profiteering, hoarding, and artificial inflation without any discrimination.

She said that the provision of quality and affordable food items to citizens is the foremost responsibility of the district administration. She instructed the concerned departments to conduct daily inspections of markets, ensure prominent display of official price lists, and take strict legal action against those violating price regulations.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen the price control mechanism to provide maximum relief to the public and maintain stability in market prices across the district.

Vehari: Two employees of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) lost their lives while cleaning a sewer near the old bus terminal here on Sunday.

According to Rescure 1122, the deceased identified as Sunny and Sawal, residents of the Khanewal district, entered the sewer during their routine duty when the tragic incident occurred. Rescue teams reached the site and launched a rescue operation, but both men could not be saved.

The bodies of the deceased workers were shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Vehari for medico-legal formalities.

The tragic deaths sparked outrage among the local citizens and social circles who strongly protested the incident.

The area residents stated that the loss of precious lives could have been completely avoided had the safety protocols been fully observed.

The citizens demanded a transparent and impartial inquiry into the incident. They urged that strict legal action should be initiated against any official, contractor, or party found guilty of negligence or violation of safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), without any discrimination.

They also appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Multan Commissioner and other relevant authorities to take immediate notice of the tragedy, order an inquiry to fix responsibility and ensure the strict implementation of safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Peshawar: Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) has taken swift legal action by sealing six shops at newly renovated Nawab Market for violating PDA bylaws.

According to a statement issued on Sunday, enforcement action was triggered by illegal renting of PDA-owned space and encouragement of encroachments, both of which caused damage to public infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Director General PDA stated that strict action will continue without discrimination against anyone who breaks PDA bylaw.

He said that these steps are being taken to protect public property and ensure everyone follows the law.