Strict crackdown: No tolerance for hoarders, says Multan DCO

Sahiwal DPO orders police to take action against people possessing unlicensed weapons, drugs

MULTAN: Price control magistrates arrested 50 shopkeepers in the city on Monday for selling consumers essential items at inflated rates and hoarding items.

DCO Nadir Chattha told reporters that shopkeepers in various markets had been fined Rs0.129 million. “There 41 price control magistrates on duty each day during Ramazan,” he said. They are responsible for visiting each market and conducting raids. Chattha said he, too, had visited fruit and vegetable markets in Multan to check the prices they were being sold at.

He said district officers had also been appointed at fruit and vegetable markets to monitor rate lists and auction bids. “The designated officers are responsible for fixing rates of fruits and vegetables in the markets.”

He said a complaint centre had been established at each Ramazan Bazaar where people could register their complaints against shopkeepers overcharging them. Crackdowns against hoarders and profiteers will continue till all shopkeepers looking to make a quick buck this way are arrested, he said. The DCO said they were carrying this out in a transparent manner.

Drugs and arms

Sahiwal District Police Officer Muhammad Atif Akram has directed the district police to launch a crackdown against possession of unlicensed weapons and drug peddling. “Any policeman found to be favouring criminals will be severely punished.”

He was addressing a meeting at the Police Lines on Monday.

Akram ordered the authorities to launch a crackdown against most wanted drug sellers and arm dealers in the district.

“We need to ensure strict implementation of the law if we want the National Action Plan to be successful,” said the DPO. He directed police officers to patrol the city more frequently.

Akram also urged the policemen to be kind and courteous to complainants. “Most people prefer to stay away from the police because of brash and uncouth behaviour by some cops.” He said that policemen must work hard to change these perceptions. “You are here to help the people…you must be polite and kind,” the DPO said.

He told the police to uphold merit in all circumstances.  “Corrupt cops must mend their ways…we will take unrelenting action if corruption is traced to any policeman, Akram said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2016.