LAHORE: The Punjab government on Saturday launched an operation against inflation in Lahore and Multan, aiming at controlling price hikes and ensuring that basic necessities remain within the reach of the general public.

The Lahore district administration conducted inspections to ensure the implementation of government-approved rates for essential food items in an ongoing effort to curb profiteering and hoarding.

The authorities carried out checks at 1,999 locations across the city over the past three days and 10 cases were registered against 13 individuals, and three shops were sealed. The teams also imposed fine worth Rs2.93 million for 403 violations.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza emphasised that district officers are actively working to stabilise the prices of essential goods and strictly enforce the official rates.

He highlighted the importance of ensuring that rate lists, provided by the government, are prominently displayed by shopkeepers.

DC Raza warned that businesses failing to comply would face severe consequences. He added that these efforts aim to provide relief to the public, particularly at the grassroots level, and bring an end to price manipulation in the market.

“The district administration is fully committed to controlling profiteering and hoarding. We are leaving no stone unturned in our inspections, and violators will face the full brunt of the law,” said DC Raza.

In Multan, a parallel crackdown is being conducted to control flour prices. On the orders of Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hameed Sandhu, the Food Department raided various flour mills and shops found selling overpriced flour. As a result, two flour mills were sealed, and multiple shopkeepers were heavily fined.

Mr Sandhu stated that the official price for a 10 kg flour bag has been set at Rs790, while a 20 kg bag should be sold for Rs1,580.

He reiterated that strict actions would be taken against any flour mills found violating these rates. “Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has tasked us with ensuring the availability of affordable flour to the public, and we are inspecting prices daily to meet this goal,” he said.

In support of this crackdown, District Food Controller Ahmed Javed explained that special teams have been deployed to combat the smuggling and black-market sale of flour. “We are determined to ensure that flour is available at government-fixed rates, and violators will be dealt with according to the law,” he added.

Both the Lahore and Multan district administrations are working round-the-clock to stabilise food prices and provide relief to citizens amid ongoing inflationary pressures.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2024