RAWALPINDI: The district administration on Thursday seized 20,000 face masks and raw material from a small unit in Chaklala Scheme-III.

Following directives from Deputy Commissioner Capt retired Anwarul Haq, a team led by Sub Registrar (City) Iqbal Sanghera and Divisional Drug Controller Naveed Anwar raided a unit in Chaklala Scheme-III after they were informed that face masks were being sold for Rs50 each instead of its actual price of Rs12 per piece.

Divisional Drug Controller Naveed Anwar said the team seized 20,000 masks and raw material which was to be used for preparing 500,000 masks.

The unit’s owner assured the authorities that he would prepare the masks and sell them at the actual price, he added.

The government would distribute the seized face masks among residents free of cost, Mr Anwar said, adding that special teams had been set up to check availability of face masks in medical stores on old price and if any store is found selling at higher price, the shop owner will be arrested and heavy fine imposed on him.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2020