KARACHI:
Turbat, the administrative headquarters of the Kech District, serves as the economic heart of southern Balochistan, yet it continuously faces complex economic challenges, such as rampant price control violations. This ongoing defiance of official rates heavily burdens local business owners, traders, and everyday residents of Turbat and its surrounding localities.
According to data compiled by the Directorate General of Industries and Commerce Balochistan (DGICB) and local law enforcement, the district administration conducted 290 formal market inspections within a single month to enforce government-notified rate lists. These targeted operations placed Kech sixth out of Balochistan’s 35 districts for price control enforcement frequency during that specific tracking period, recovering Rs28,000 in heavy fines for the provincial treasury.
The enforcement drive significantly intensified under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner. During recent administrative crackdowns, local authorities sealed up to 12 petrol pumps and detained multiple owners across Turbat for artificial overcharging and violating officially notified fuel prices. Concurrently, aligned with macro directives from Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, Kech authorities have actively penalised local transport operators to curtail illegal fare hikes during border or fuel supply crises.
While the provincial government mandates that official price lists be prominently displayed inside retail shops, persistent compliance gaps continue to inflict unjust financial strains on businesses, local consumers, and the general public.
Aziza Shakeel
Turbat
