Profiteers slapped with heavy fines

The city administration continued its campaign of action against profiteers and fined 132 such individuals a total of Rs681,000 on Saturday.

Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon asked all deputy commissioners to continue the campaign against violators of official prices. All the deputy commissioners, along with the officers concerned, visited markets and bazaars located in their jurisdictions.

They checked the prices of essential food items fixed by the city administration and took action against those profiteers who were charging above official prices, stated a handout issued by the office of the commissioner

During the campaign on Saturday, officers of the district administration said a total of 132 profiteers were fined Rs681,000. One person was arrested in the Sadder area by Assistant Commissioner Hannan Bhutto for overcharging.

Deputy Commissioner Central Taha Salim reported that in his district, officers fined 16 profiteers as much as fined Rs158,000.

Meanwhile, as per the report of District Malir, 13 violators of official prices were fined Rs29,000. At the same time, District Keamari officials imposed fines of Rs12,000 on 14 profiteers, while in district South, Rs325,000 worth of fines were imposed on 40 profiteers .

According to the report of district Korangi, 11 profiteers were found overcharging so they were fined of Rs.70,000. Similarly, 26 profiteers were fined Rs75,000 by authorities in District East, while officials of District West slapped fines worth Rs12,000 on 12 profiteers.

Commissioner Memon has asked deputy commissioners to continue the campaign against profiteers and that the city administration's efforts provide relief to people, especially during the month of Ramazan. He said prices fixed by the city administration should be enforced strictly so as to people get essential food items at reasonable prices.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2022.