Quetta: Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan on Friday chaired a meeting regarding the Balochistan Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act 2026.
In the meeting, the provincial government has prepared a comprehensive legal draft ‘Balochistan Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act 2026’ to stabilize prices in the province, prevent illegal profiteering and protect public interests.
On this occasion, the meeting was informed that this proposed law would replace the old federal framework of 1977 and lays down modern and robust administrative structures and procedures for effective implementation at the provincial level.
After the 18th Amendment, price control is a provincial subject; the existing 1977 Act is a relic of the federal era, the proposed 2026 Act has been completely tailored to provincial powers and needs.
The proposed law has a coherent command structure including the Price Control Council, Provincial Controller General and Deputy Commissioners as District Controllers to ensure speedy, coordinated and accountable action, and the draft law would be presented to the current provincial cabinet for consideration and necessary amendments before it is tablet to the provincial assembly.
Relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of Law, Commodity Management Department, District Administration, and trade representatives would be included for consultation.
The Chief Secretary said that the provincial government is keen to implement these legal reforms to provide relief to the public, ensure fair treatment in the market and take effective action against hoarding and profiteering.
He said that the proposed act would ensure price stability, availability of fertilizers, food and essential food items in the province.
Secretary Industries Khalid Sarpara, Secretary Commodity Management Arshad Hussain Bugti, Special Secretary Home Abdul Salam Achakzai and others attended the meeting.