KARACHI:A meeting of Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners was held at the office of Commissioner Karachi, Syed Hassan Naqvi, to review measures aimed at controlling overpricing, removing encroachments, regulating roadside hotel seating arrangements, and conducting campaigns against professional beggars.
The meeting also reviewed service delivery initiatives relating to education, health, development and other civic facilities.
Additional Commissioner-I Ghulam Mehdi Shah, Additional Commissioner-II Atif Jalib, Assistant Commissioner Headquarters Iqra Jannat, Assistant Commissioner General Waqas Abbasi and other officials attended the meeting.
Deputy Commissioners presented details of their respective enforcement operations and put forward proposals for improving performance.
Assistant Commissioners participated through video link and briefed the meeting on their respective progress.
The meeting was informed that district administrations were continuing enforcement operations against profiteers.
Commissioner Naqvi emphasised the need for effective measures to make these operations more result-oriented. He directed the authorities to take action against habitual profiteers without any leniency, stating that repeat offenders did not deserve any concession.
It was decided that habitual profiteers would be arrested and their shops sealed.
The meeting reviewed enforcement activities carried out across all districts and subdivisions from October 19 to 25. According to the figures presented, Assistant Commissioners inspected prices at more than 2,500 locations across Karachi. Prices were found satisfactory at over 1,000 locations.
During the week, fines were imposed on 490 profiteers, with the total amount exceeding Rs 2.099 million. Warning notices were issued to 618 shopkeepers, while 15 shops were sealed for overcharging.
The meeting also discussed enforcing the maximum penalties prescribed under the law against those found guilty of profiteering.
Commissioner Naqvi directed the district administrations to continue strict legal action against violators and ensure daily price inspections.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing operations against encroachments and roadside hotel seating arrangements. Deputy Commissioners informed the meeting that most roadside hotels had submitted the required affidavits, while action was being taken against those that had failed to do so.
According to the reports presented at the meeting, the highest number of enforcement actions against profiteers was reported in District Central.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Central Taha Saleem reported that 123 profiteers were fined a total of Rs 520,000 during the week, while 10 shops were sealed.
DC East Nasrullah Abbasi reported that 65 profiteers were fined Rs 442,000.
DC Keamari Abdul Sattar Hakro stated that 62 profiteers were fined Rs 105,000, while one shop was sealed.
DC Korangi Masood Bhutto reported that 55 profiteers were fined Rs 260,000, and two shops were sealed.
DC Malir Samiullah Sheikh reported that 84 profiteers were fined Rs 170,000.
DC South Javed Nabi Khosa reported that 69 profiteers were fined Rs 533,000.
DC West Zulfiqar Memon reported that 32 profiteers were fined Rs 69,500.