Rs11.33m Fine Imposed, 341 Arrested During Price-control Crackdown in Punjab
LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Sep, 2026) Price control magistrates across Punjab conducted 432,465 inspections from Sept 21 to 27, imposing Rs11.337 million in fines, registering 73 cases and arresting 341 persons for overcharging and violations of price-control laws.
As many as 25 business premises were sealed over violations during the week-long crackdown launched on the special directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Food Safety and Consumer Protection Secretary Dr Kiran Khurshid told media on Wednesday that:
- 21,158 cases of overcharging were detected.
- 1,846 violations for failure to display officially notified price lists were reported.
She provided details on specific items:
- Bread: 5,198 cases of overcharging, leading to fines of Rs577,000 and arrest of 16 persons.
- Chicken meat: 1,607 cases of overcharging, resulting in 20 FIRs and the arrest of 56 persons.
- Flour bags: 579 cases of overcharging, with Rs109,000 in fines and arrest of 16 persons.
- Sugar: 692 violations, leading to Rs155,500 in fines.
- Tomatoes: 836 cases of overcharging, resulting in the arrest of 17 persons and Rs85,000 in fines.
Dr Kiran Khurshid assured that the monitoring and enforcement campaign would continue across Punjab without interruption to ensure essential commodities are provided at affordable prices according to officially notified rates. She emphasized that no leniency would be shown towards profiteers and those involved in overcharging.