LAHORE: The Punjab food safety and consumer protection department imposed fines amounting to Rs10.627 million for overpricing across the province over the past seven days, Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khursheed said on Wednesday.
She said inspections across the province identified 19,902 violations involving the sale of essential commodities above officially fixed prices. Authorities also identified 2,168 locations where prescribed price lists were not displayed. Dr Khursheed said 18,774 inspections were conducted to check chicken prices during which more than 1,400 violations were reported. Fines totalling Rs494,000 were imposed in these cases.
Similarly, 12,829 inspections were carried out to monitor sugar prices, resulting in action against 574 violations. The report also recorded 769 violations involving overpricing of tomatoes, for which fines amounting to Rs125,500 were imposed.
Authorities arrested 56 people for overcharging and other violations while 19 locations were sealed. Dr Khursheed said price control magistrates and enforcement teams were continuing operations in markets across Punjab to curb overpricing and ensure the sale of essential commodities at officially notified rates.
She added that field inspections were being made more effective and that legal action would continue against shopkeepers and traders violating fixed prices to provide relief to consumers.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026