Lahore: Price Control Magistrates in Punjab carried out over 427,000 market inspections between September 14 and 20, 2026, resulting in fines exceeding Rs114.95 million for price violations. According to Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr. Kiran Khursheed, the actions were part of efforts to monitor and control the prices of essential commodities and address issues of overcharging and profiteering.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, a total of 1,634 Price Control Magistrates conducted 427,587 inspections, leading to the registration of 75 cases for overcharging, the arrest of 334 individuals, and the sealing of 30 business premises. These measures aimed to curb profiteering in the food sector, with over 5,000 cases reported during inspections.

Fines related to bread pricing amounted to Rs640,000, with 26 FIRs filed and 70 arrests made. Inspections targeting chicken prices resulted in Rs220,000 in fines and six registered cases. Flour prices were scrutinized at 13,101 locations, revealing 556 instances of overcharging.

The inspections also extended to tomato and onion prices, with 8,902 and 7,011 checks conducted, respectively. Tomatoes saw 797 profiteering cases and Rs129,000 in fines, while 585 cases of onion overcharging resulted in 24 arrests.

Rice and pulse prices were under close observation, with 15,388 inspections for basmati rice uncovering 775 profiteering cases. Meanwhile, 28,180 pulse inspections led to 1,403 overcharging incidents and fines exceeding Rs327,000.

Dr. Khursheed emphasized that market inspections are ongoing to ensure the availability of essential commodities at government-notified rates.