CM presides over a meeting of Provincial Price Control Committee through video conference

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that protection of rights and provision of relief to the citizens is the responsibility of the state and Pakistan Muslim League-N government will spare no effort for transferring the benefits of record decrease in the prices of petroleum products to the masses. He said that effective steps will continue to be taken in future as well for reduction in transport fares and their monitoring will also be ensured. He said that no compromise will be made on the measures for provision of relief to the citizens and no one will be allowed to exploit the people.

He was presiding over a meeting of Provincial Price Control Committee through video conference at Civil Secretariat today. The meeting reviewed the steps taken in the province for reduction in transport fares and the prices of essential items in the wake of record decrease in fuel prices and expressed satisfaction over the measures taken in this regard.

Provincial Ministers Ch. Muhammad Shafiq, Bilal Yasin, Dr. Farrukh Javed, Chief Secretary and concerned secretaries attended the conference through video link. The Chief Minister said that Punjab government has taken prompt measures and reduced transport fares at the same proportion at which prices of petroleum products have been decreased while instructions have been issued to provincial administration and police for taking action over violation of newly fixed transport fares. He directed that action be taken against Adda Managers for overcharging and they be arrested for charging more than the fixed transport fares.

Shahbaz Sharif directed that effective steps of the Punjab government in this regard should be continued as people cannot be left at the mercy of profiteers. He directed that Provincial Price Control Committee should review the measures being taken for reducing transport fares and the prices of essential items on daily basis and all necessary steps should be taken in this regard. The meeting was informed that 155 persons were arrested for overcharging yesterday while 530 vehicles were impounded and a total fine of 14 lakh rupees was imposed.