CM Punjab orders crack down against profiteers

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that interest of the people of the province is dearest to him and no one will be allowed to exploit the masses in the form of hoarding and profiteering. He directed authorities concerned to launch a crackdown against hoarders and profiteers and the sale of essential items at the fixed rates be ensured.

He was addressing a meeting of Provincial Price Control Committee through video link at Civil Secretariat, here today. Issuing instructions to all Commissioners, District Coordination Officers and concerned authorities to take action against the elements involved in hoarding and profiteering, Shahbaz Sharif directed that effective measures be taken for providing relief to the citizens. He said that administrative machinery should play an active role for transferring the benefits of decrease in the prices of petroleum products to the citizens and necessary administrative measures should be adopted against hoarders and profiteers.

The Chief Minister warned that no laxity or negligence will be tolerated in the provision of relief to the common man. He said that indiscriminate action under the law should be taken against hoarders and profiteers while the steps taken for decreasing transport fares should be continued. He said that he will go to any extent to transfer the benefits of reduction in the prices of petroleum products to the people and no one will be allowed to act arbitrarily.

The Chief Minister also issued instructions for setting up monitoring committees for ensuring provision of essential items to the masses at the fixed rates. The monitoring committees will implement the plan evolved for the sale of essential commodities at the fixed rates in their respective districts.

Provincial Ministers Bilal Yasin, Dr. Farrukh Javed, Chief Secretary, concerned secretaries, Commissioner Lahore Division and concerned officers participated in the meeting through video link.