TAXILA: The district administration has begun to crack down on profiteers, hoarders and shopkeepers selling daily-use goods at exorbitant prices in urban and rural parts of Attock district, Attock District Officer Industry Rabia Naseem said on Wednesday.

She said that administration officials made 284 surprise visits to markets in areas under their respective administrative control and 1,723 points were inspected in the crackdown against profiteers, in order to ensure food items are available at controlled rates and to overcome the artificial price hike in markets.

She said 275 shopkeepers were found to be violating the official price list and were issued notices, and fines totalling Rs973,300 were imposed on shopkeepers selling daily-use items at high prices.

In addition, 15 shopkeepers were arrested for alleged illegal profiteering after FIRs were registered against them, she said.

Those arrested include bakers, vegetable and fruit vendors, grocery stores, fresh milk sellers and butchers.

Ms Naseem said shopkeepers were warned to ensure that the price list is displayed and that food items are sold at controlled prices.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2019