Lahore: The Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department had registered 18 cases and arrested 658 people over illegal profiteering, according to a department spokesperson. The department stated that during the past two days, price control magistrates conducted raids at more than 335,000 locations across various districts of Punjab. Action was taken against over 20,200 individuals involved in profiteering, resulting in the registration of 18 cases and the arrest of 658 profiteers. Fines exceeding Rs149.63 million were imposed on those found guilty. To ensure continuous and uninterrupted supply of wheat flour, 20,434 flour points and shops were inspected across the province. Action was taken against 1,480 individuals involved in overcharging for flour, leading to the registration of one case, the arrest of 30 people, and the imposition of fines amounting to Rs1.5875 million. The spokesperson said that action has also been intensified against butchers selling broiler chicken meat at higher prices. Raids
were conducted at 18,800 locations, and action was taken against 1,437 butchers involved in overcharging. Four cases were registered, 39 butchers were arrested, and fines of Rs778,000 were imposed.
To ensure the sale of bread at officially notified rates, inspections were carried out at 33,700 tandoors and hotels across the province. Legal action was taken against 3,500 naan bakers and hotel owners involved in selling bread at higher prices. Two cases were registered, 164 people were arrested, and fines exceeding Rs1.69 million were imposed.
The spokesperson further said that operations against illegal profiteering and hoarding of sugar have also been intensified in various districts of Punjab. Price control magistrates inspected more than 16,900 locations, took action against over 1,100 individuals involved in sugar profiteering, arrested 43 people, imposed fines of Rs630,000, and sealed one warehouse.