NAROWAL: Police have registered cases against 31 shopkeepers for profiteering in the holy month.

The price magistrate has fined Rs1.3 million to 755 shopkeepers.

Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Hassan said officials launched an operation against profiteers in the district. He said traders were robbing the citizens by trying to make a fast buck and the district administration deployed 28 special magistrates to crack down on profiteers and hoarders. He said the magistrates visited markets including wholesalers of fruits and vegetables in Narowal, Zafarwal and Shakargarh and imposed heavy fines on the profiteers.

Police registered cases against 31 shopkeepers for making excessive profits and hoarding across the district. The magistrates fined 755 shopkeepers Rs1.3 million which had been deposited with the government treasury.

The provision of daily-use necessities to the citizens at the rates fixed by the government was the top priority of the district administration, he said.

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Syeda Tehniyat Bokhari closed the shutters of a shop on Railway Road and sealed the shop of Muhammad Irfan who was selling goods to customers in violation of lockdown.

The deputy commissioner said 45 shops had been sealed for violating the SOPs.

Officials of the administration along with army, Rangers and police conducted a flag march across the district to ensure optimum implementation of the lockdown.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2021