GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan administration has launched a crackdown on the people engaged in profiteering, hoarding, smuggling, and electricity-related offences.

In every district, a Chief Secretary Complaints Cell has been set up to address citizens’ complaints round the clock and take actions. This campaign’s objective is to eliminate hoarders and profiteers, ensuring affordable food supplies to the public. This decision was taken at a meeting chaired by GB Chief Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the chief secretary emphasised the need for taking strong action against profiteers, hoarders, smugglers, and electricity thieves. It was decided that price monitoring efforts should be intensified, and daily reports from all DCs would be consolidated at the GB level and shared with the media. Furthermore, 24/7 complaint cells would be established at the district level.

The meeting also determined that hoarders and profiteers would be held accountable to ensure the availability of essential items in the market.

Joint check-posts involving the police and food department would become operational at the three GB entry points: Thor, Babusar, and Barsat. Cameras would be installed at these check posts, accompanied by instructions and warning signs.

Mr Wani instructed the Food Secretary to develop a system to provide wheat directly to the public instead of flour, aiming to reduce smuggling tende­ncies.“All district commissioners are required to submit daily reports on their actions taken against smugglers. Smuggling of subsidised wheat/flour out of GB will not be tolerated,” Mr Wani warned.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2023