KARACHI: As many as 383 profiteers were fined over Rs2 million on Saturday as the city administration intensified its crackdown on the retailers and vendors for violating the officially fixed prices of essential food items during Ramazan.

Official sources said that district Central administration took action against 56 profiteers and fined them Rs796,000, while 150 were fined Rs392,000 in district East.

They said 16 shopkeepers were fined Rs56,000 in district Malir, 53 were fined Rs560,000 in South, and 42 profiteers were fined Rs120,000 in district Korangi.

The sources said that the a fine of Rs120,000 was imposed on 42 shopkeepers and vendors for selling essential food items at the prices higher than those fixed by the administration.

They said that 37 profiteers were fined Rs59,000 in district Keamari.

Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon said that coordinated measures were taken to ensure the availability of essential food items such as fruit, vegetables, spices, milk, eggs chicken meat, beef, mutton, dates and flour, at notified prices during Ramazan.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2022