District admin intensifies crackdown on profiteers

LAHORE: On the directives of Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza, the district administration has intensified its monitoring and regulatory efforts to control prices of essential commodities. To combat price gouging, the administration has implemented stringent measures and has been conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance.

The DC office spokesperson said that the prices of chicken meat have been adjusted in line with supply and demand dynamics. On 26 December, 2024, the chicken price was Rs350 per kg, on next day it was 360 per kg, while on 28 December, 2024 the price was Rs380 per kg while from 29 December, 2024 to 5 January, 2025 the chicken price was fixed to Rs383 per kg.

On December 27, 2024, an inquiry led to the dismissal of Dr Sabir, Price Control Magistrate, after allegations of corruption were substantiated. He was accused of issuing fraudulent receipts and misappropriating fines collected from shopkeepers. The investigation, supervised by Additional Deputy Commissioner General Muhammad Shojain Vistro, revealed discrepancies in the amounts recorded on receipts given to shopkeepers and those submitted to the DC office.

The case was referred to the Anti-Corruption Establishment, and Dr Sabir was relieved of his duties and powers as Price Control Magistrate. On December 28, 2024, a suspect Junaid Islam was apprehended near Government Boys College, Ladhhar. Islam was posing as a Price Control Magistrate and extorting Rs40,000 per event from the farmhouse. Assistant Commissioner Abdul Basit Siddiqui, upon receiving a tip-off, arrived at the scene and handed Islam over to the police.

On January 3, 2025, two fake Price Control Magistrates were arrested in Tehsil Allama Iqbal Zone for extorting money from shopkeepers. The imposters, Shafiq and Ejaz, falsely claimed to represent the Assistant Commissioner and were collecting illicit payments. The Assistant Commissioner, upon receiving reports, intervened, and the suspects were handed over to law enforcement authorities. Cases have been registered against the culprits.

The district administration has urged citizens to report any suspicious activities or individuals posing as officials. Citizens can reach out to the respective Assistant Commissioners' offices or contact the DC office control room at 03070002345 via WhatsApp or social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.