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RAWALPINDI, Oct 22 (APP): More than 804,000 inspections have been conducted across Rawalpindi District since October 1 as part of the ongoing price control drive to stabilise the prices of essential commodities.
During this period, 1,015 cases of overpricing were detected, leading to fines totalling Rs 4.947 million, registration of eight First Information Reports (FIRs), sealing of 67 shops, and arrest of 56 persons.
This was disclosed in a meeting chaired by Commissioner Rawalpindi Engineer Aamir Khattak at his office on Wednesday. The meeting, convened on the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, reviewed the progress of field operations to ensure the availability of daily-use items at officially fixed rates.
Giving a breakdown of the district-wide actions, officials told the meeting that 144,381 inspections were conducted in Gujar Khan where 44 shopkeepers were fined Rs 42,000, 15 persons arrested, and 10 shops sealed. In Kahuta, 84,452 inspections detected 40 price violations resulting in fines of Rs 113,000, while in Kallar Syedan, 60,524 inspections led to Rs 103,000 in fines and one FIR registered for 28 cases of overpricing.
Similarly, 149,187 inspections were carried out in Rawalpindi Cantt where 167 price violations were detected, Rs 1.35 million in fines imposed, 23 shops sealed, and 11 persons arrested. In Rawalpindi City, 153,514 inspections resulted in the detection of 592 price violations, Rs 1.704 million in fines, seven FIRs registered, sealing of 16 shops, and 28 arrests. In Rawalpindi Saddar, 111,933 inspections led to the detection of 32 price violations, Rs 791,000 in fines, six shops sealed, and two arrests.
Meanwhile, in Taxila, 100,062 inspections were conducted, 112 price violations reported, Rs 466,000 in fines imposed, and 12 shops sealed.
Commissioner Aamir Khattak said the Government attached top priority to maintaining price stability and warned that negligence in enforcement would not be tolerated. He directed that price control magistrates remain active in the field to ensure an effective check-and-balance system. He also ordered strict action against profiteers to ensure that citizens received essential commodities at fair prices.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, additional deputy commissioners (general and revenue), price control magistrates, Para Force, and officers from all relevant departments.