Rawalpindi, (Parliament Times) : Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaqat Ali Chatha directed the Deputy Commissioners of the four districts that the meeting of the District Price Control Committee must be convened at least twice a month so that the prices can be determined correctly and appropriately. He said that the country is currently going through a critical economic situation, but we are trying hard to provide all possible relief to the people. He said that the participation of market committee members and administrative officers should be ensured in the bidding process in the market – soon Rawalpindi city will have its own market which will reduce the prices.
He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting held at the Commissioner’s Office Rawalpindi. In the meeting, Additional Commissioner Coordination Syed Nazarat Ali, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Dr. Hasan Waqar Cheema, Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Nabil Sandu, Assistant Commissioner General Maleeha Jamal, Director Agriculture Rana Shahid, Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Amjad Chaudhry, Civil Defense Officer Sanjida Khanum and other concerned officers attended meeting in person whereas Deputy Commissioner Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal participated through video link.
Commissioner further said that although the increase in prices of essential commodities is linked to the increase in the global market due to which all products are affected, we are trying our best not to let anyone take undue advantage of this situation. He directed that some leniency should be given to those who create artificial inflation through hoarding and to provide relief to the public, he ensured the supply of food items at the DC counters set up at all stores at official rates and quality. While briefing Commissioner Rawalpindi about the details of the measures to be taken in connection with price control, it was informed that from September 1, 2023 till now, during a total of 10,429 raids across the district, 786 violations were reported and a total of Rs. 1,021,000 fines were imposed. 02 FIRs, 05 buildings were sealed and 09 wholesalers were arrested. Similarly, to moderate the prices of sugar, 21 warehouses suspected of hoarding were checked, out of which 2313 bags of 50 kg were seized and 13 warehouses were sealed. Commissioner Rawalpindi said that this sugar seized from hoarders should be sold to consumers at the rate of Rs 150 per kg in the Sunday market.
