CM orders action against profiteers

CM Shehbaz Sharif directs that provision of essential food items to people should be ensured during Ramazan

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that provision of essential food items to the people should be ensured during the holy month of Ramazan.

“Effective measures should be continuously carried out to stabilise the prices of items of daily use in subsidised Ramadan bazaars and other marketplaces,” he added.

Issuing directives to the provincial cabinet committee for price control on Thursday, the chief minister said it was the responsibility of relevant departments as well as the administration to ensure ample availability of food items in markets.

Therefore, they should pro-actively work to provide relief to the masses. He said that provision of different eatables should be made available at fixed rates and their prompt supply in the markets should also be ensured. “Crackdown should be carried out against profiteers,” he said. He directed to initiate indiscriminate action against the persons selling eatables at exorbitant rates and made it clear that public interest is dear to him.

The elements looting the public in the name of profit deserve no leniency and the alliance of hoarders and profiteers will not be allowed to exploit the people.

Shehbaz said the Punjab government has given historic Ramazan package worth billions of rupees to provide relief to the masses and every penny of the package should benefit them.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2018.