By Moin Ullah Shah
KARACHI: A meeting chaired by Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi reviewed the ongoing campaign against profiteers and the implementation of official prices for essential food items on Monday.
The meeting, attended by all deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners, assessed performance across districts and discussed enforcement of government-approved rates. The commissioner said there was a need to intensify action against profiteering to ensure compliance with official pricing.
It was decided that a crackdown would be further strengthened, particularly focusing on prices of fruits and vegetables. Assistant commissioners across all districts, along with their teams, were directed to remain in the field to monitor rates of essential commodities.
The meeting also decided to improve transparency in the auction system at sabzi mandis. The Market Committee was instructed to support administrative efforts to ensure reasonable pricing of fruits and vegetables and to assist assistant commissioners in enforcement measures.
During the meeting, Assistant Commissioner Headquarters Rabia Syed presented a comparative report of actions taken between 20 April and 26 April, and the previous week. The commissioner was informed that during 20 to 26 April, action was taken against 191 profiteers, fines amounting to Rs 939,000 were imposed, 19 shops were sealed and two individuals were arrested. In comparison, during 13 to 19 April, fines of Rs 1,684,000 were imposed on 187 profiteers.
According to district-wise data for 20 to 26 April, action was taken against 45 profiteers in District Central with fines exceeding Rs 223,000 and five shops sealed. In District East, fines of Rs 110,000 were imposed on 10 profiteers. In District Keamari, Rs 88,000 in fines were imposed on 30 profiteers, seven shops were sealed and two arrests were made. In District Korangi, fines of Rs 183,000 were imposed on 33 profiteers and five shops were sealed. In District Malir, fines of Rs 100,000 were imposed on 24 profiteers and one shop was sealed. In District South, fines of Rs 200,000 were imposed on 37 profiteers. In District West, fines of Rs 330,000 were imposed on 12 profiteers and one shop was sealed.
