Crackdown against overpricing in Quetta

At least 34 shopkeepers were arrested over violation of official price control list while warnings were issued to 38 shopkeepers and 19 shops were sealed in ongoing operation against profiteers across Quetta here on Thursday.

On the special directive of Commissioner Quetta Division Hamza Shafqat and Lieutenant (retd) Saad bin Asad, various price control teams consisting of assistant commissioners and special magistrates conducted raids in various areas to keep the prices of food items stable in connection with the month of Ramazan.

The drive is meant to implement the price list set at the government level to prevent high prices and hoarding.

The various price control teams checked a total of 187 shops in Quetta urban areas including Airport Road, Kuchlak, Satellite Town, Nawan Kili, Meezan Chowk, Kasi Road and Sariab Road. Around 34 shopkeepers were arrested for violating price control, warnings were issued to 38 shopkeepers, 19 shops were sealed while one shop was also fined in operations by price control teams.

On this occasion, commissioner Quetta Division said that various teams have been formed for price control which were responsible for carrying out operations daily during the month of Ramazan.

In all cases, it involves ensuring the sale of commodities at government-fixed rates and preventing self-inflation, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2024.