KARACHI, Nov 20: Despite the formation of price control committees and other steps announced by the government to check prices, shopkeepers continue to charge high prices from consumers, especially for fruits and vegetables.

In most of the areas despite clear warnings by the authorities shopkeepers did not care to display the price list, issued by the Bureau of Supply and Prices. Despite tall claims by the government, shopkeepers and hawkers have been found selling fruits and vegetables at prices of their own choice.

At a high-level meeting on Nov 17 the chief secretary had issued directives to the authorities concerned to keep a check over the prices of food items in Ramazan. But the situation in the markets show that government orders are being violated.

In the past three days councillors have visited shops and hawkers to ascertain prices, and in some cases they have acted to stop profiteering.

When contacted, some of the councillors said due to lack of legal backing they were unable to play their due role in curbing profiteering. They demanded of the Sindh government to provide them police escort to enable them to deal effectively with profiteers.—PPI