November 7, 2001	Wednesday	Shaba’an 20, 1422

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FAISALABAD, Nov 6: A majority of wholesale dealers has created artificial shortage of eatables by hoarding them to ensure maximum gains in the holy month of Ramazan.

Commission agents have reportedly stored a variety of fruit and vegetable in godowns while shopkeepers and vendors have increased the prices of these items.

A survey revealed that a majority of commission agents of the local fruit and vegetable market has reduced the sale of banana, apples and dates.

The shopkeepers of the residential areas have also been selling goods at enhanced rates by violating the price lists issued by the market committees.

The shopkeepers have increased the rate of gram-powder from Rs34 to Rs40 per kg and 20-kg bag of atta from Rs172 to Rs180.

Similarly, potatoes are being sold at Rs24 per kg, onion at Rs10 per kg, peas at Rs24 per kg, apple at Rs40 per kg, bananas at Rs24 per dozen as compared to their prices a month ago.

People have urged the government to take punitive action against the functionaries of the market committees and the commission agents.

WARNING: The Jamaat-i-Islami has warned transporters not to ply their vehicles on Nov 9.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, JI central naib amir Liaqat Baloch said a complete strike would be observed throughout the country on Friday in protest against the US attack on Afghanistan.

He claimed that almost all trade associations had assured the Jamaat that they would observe a complete shutter-down strike.

Criticizing the government foreign policy, he demanded President Musharraf to quit in the larger interest of the country otherwise the angry masses would kick him out from the corridor of power.

He alleged that military rulers were responsible for the killing of innocent people in Afghanistan. He urged the people not to come out on roads on Nov 9 to show solidarity with the Afghan brethren.

The press conference was also attended by Punjab JI secretary-general Azhar Iqbal, district president Sardar Zafar Husain, city president Mehboobuz Zaman.

ARRESTED: A workshop owner was arrested by a bailiff of the banking court on the charge of default from the Faisalabad-Samundri Road here on Tuesday and was sent to jail.

Muhammad Hafiz had got a loan from a leasing company, but failed to pay it back on time.

SEIZED: A special team of the tehsil municipal administration recovered a huge quantity of adulterated red-chilies from two factories in Hajveri Town on Tuesday.

The team recovered 2,000kg of adulterated chilies from a factory owned by Khalid and about 300kg from that of Anwar’s. Both the factory owners managed to escape during the raid.

Samples of the chili-powder have been sent to the laboratory for analysis.

SI ARRESTED: A sub-inspector was arrested after his bail application was rejected by a court here on Tuesday.

Younas Butt was booked by the Anti-Corruption Establishment for taking bribe from a trader, Hanif, some months back.