Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation claims to lower prices in weekly bazaars

Residents concerned over traders selling groceries at inflated prices

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) on Tuesday claimed to have further reduced prices of essential commodities in all weekly markets to provide maximum relief to citizens.

However, residents stated that shopkeepers continue to fleece them.

The decision was taken after a meeting between Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat and all stakeholders, including the market committees, last week to review the difference in prices offered by the IMC Bazaars and the local administration price list, an official source in IMC told the media on Tuesday.

Residents had complained to the district magistrate about how some items were being sold in the IMC weekly bazaars at higher than the prices affixed by the local administration.

When contacted, an Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration spokesperson said that they had accelerated action against hoarders and profiteers by imposing Section 144 to curb the artificial price-hikes on edible items, especially fruits and vegetables.

He added that the ICT administration and its attached departments, including the food and agriculture department, market committee, magistrates and police were working to ensure that the official price lists of essential items are displayed at shops.

Moreover, the names of violators are sent to the relevant assistant commissioner for action.

The capital administration has also taken an inclusive step to sensitise the public about the actual price of edibles by recently launching the 'Durust Daam' mobile application. APP

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2019.