LAHORE, July 21: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif will pay surprise visits to Ramazan bazaars set up throughout the province to check prices and quality of items.

Talking to MPs from various districts here on Saturday, he said he would himself visit, monitor and review availability of quality daily-use items at subsidised rates in the 300 bazaars.

He said as the provincial government was spending a huge amount of Rs4 billion on provision of subsidised items to the general public during the holy month, industrialists, traders and shopkeepers should also cooperate with the government in keeping prices of items at a reasonable level.

He said a central monitoring room had already been established to oversee provision of daily-use items at subsidised rates and ensure price stability while elected representatives should also pay regular visits to their local area bazaar to ensure provision of edibles at fixed rates.

The chief minister said:

“Legitimate profit earned through business and trade is the right of every-one however, exploitation of the poor cannot be permitted in the name of profit.” He said stern action would be initiated against hoarders and profiteers.

IFTAR: Albayrak group of companies (Istanbul), the sister concern of the Lahore Waste Management Company, has arranged Iftar for Lahorites at Badshahi Mosque.

Some 1,000 Iftar boxes would be distributed daily throughout Ramazan by Albayrak, a spokesperson of the company said on Saturday.

The Lahore Waste Management Company managing director has appreciated the step.