Ehtram Ramazan: ‘Eateries open during Ramazan will be sealed’

Their owners will be imprisoned: Multan DCO

MULTAN: Any restaurants or eateries open for business during fasting hours would be sealed, DCO Nadir Chattha said at a meeting with district officers at his office on Sunday. “The owners of such eateries and restaurants must be sent to jail.”

The DCO directed assistant commissioners and town officers to ensure strict action against anyone found violating the Ehtram Ramazan Ordinance.

The DCO said no one could be allowed to violate the sanctity of Ramazan. Hotels and restaurants could only open between iftar and sehr, he said.

Chatta said 13 Ramazan Bazaars had been set up in Multan. “These markets have received subsidies of millions of rupees to facilitate citizens.” He said fruits and vegetables were being sold at cheaper rates at Ramazan Bazaars. “Hundreds of people visit the bazaars daily.”

The DCO told the officials responsible for Ramazan Bazaars to ensure maximum stock of sugar and flour.

“I have been visiting all Ramazan Bazaars and vegetable markets daily to check the rates commodities are sold at,” the DCO said.

He told price control magistrates to launch a crackdown against profiteers. He told the officials to visit at least 10 shops each daily and fine those found charging customers more than the rates specified by the government.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2016.