By Moin Ullah Shah
KARACHI: On the second day of the Karachi administration’s crackdown against overpricing during Ramazan, authorities took action against 216 shopkeepers across the city, imposing fines totaling over Rs 22.22 lakh.
Officials inspected prices at 809 locations under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners, with Assistant Commissioners and field teams actively monitoring markets. During the operation, 182 shopkeepers were issued warnings for violations.
On the direction of Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi, fruits and other essential items were auctioned at official rates at 105 locations, including wheat flour, sugar, potatoes, chicken, vegetables, beef, and a variety of fruits such as bananas, guavas, oranges, watermelon, and strawberries.
Commissioner Naqvi reviewed the crackdown and instructed all Deputy Commissioners to expand auctions under their supervision, ensuring citizens had access to affordable food. He emphasised that no one violating official rates should be spared, directing the imposition of fines and the arrest of repeat offenders.
“Citizens must get relief at all costs,” he said. Monitoring teams, including Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, and other staff, visited markets, commissioner counters at superstores, and complaint centers, submitting detailed performance reports along with suggestions for improvement.
Additional Commissioner One Ghulam Mehdi Shah, accompanied by Assistant Commissioners, inspected markets in South and Central districts, ensuring profiteers were penalised and essential items sold at official prices. During his visit to Empress Market, shopkeepers immediately sold fruits at official rates, earning appreciation from buyers.
Additional Commissioner Two also reviewed the performance of magistrates, reminding them to follow the Commissioner’s directives to protect consumer rights. Deputy Commissioner East Nasrullah Abbasi supervised the sale of fruits, meat, and other items at official rates, checked complaint centers, and instructed staff to promptly resolve citizen complaints.
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