DACCA: The East Pakistan Government yesterday [Nov 4] decided to invoke the East Bengal Public Safety Ordinance against those unscrupulous salt dealers who were pushing up the prices in certain areas, though large quantities of salt arrived in the Province. A Press note … said: “Government views with concern the manner in which some traders have taken advantage of a temporary shortage of supplies to push up the local salt prices to unconscionable heights in ... disregard of the hardships ... inflicted on the community. The Government had … hoped that this was only a temporary aberration and that with increasing supplies now being made available, this evil trend of salt prices could right itself. This has not been the case. The Government have, therefore, decided to … arrest and detain in jail … until further orders any person who is engaged in this wicked game and to requisition his stocks for sale to the public at reasonable prices.

“The Government wishes it to be known that it will, if necessary, similarly punish any trader found guilty of hoarding or profiteering any other commodity essential to the life of the community.[”] — News agencies

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2026