Naqvi for sustained efforts against professional begging and price gouging

KARACHI: Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi on Monday chaired a meeting with deputy commissioners to assess ongoing efforts against encroachments, professional begging, and price gouging in the city.

The session focused on strategies to ensure smooth traffic flow and bolster security during the Eid shopping season. Deputy commissioners reported on recent actions taken to remove illegal encroachments obstructing traffic. Between March 17 and March 23, authorities cleared 132 encroachment sites across Karachi, with District West accounting for 42 operations, Keamari 18, East and Korangi 21 each, Central 12, South 11, and Malir 7.

Naqvi emphasised the need for sustained efforts to prevent re-encroachment and ensure that shoppers experience no traffic congestion during Eid. Addressing the issue of professional begging, it was decided that deputy commissioners would intensify efforts to identify and apprehend beggars.

The meeting also reviewed the ongoing crackdown against price gouging. Over a 23-day campaign, authorities imposed fines exceeding Rs416.7 million on 3,928 profiteers. Additionally, 146 shops were sealed, and 147 individuals were arrested. On the 23rd of Ramadan alone, fines totaling Rs9.2 million were levied against 101 profiteers.