KARACHI: In response to the sharp rise in prices during the holy month of Ramazan, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has ordered a strict crackdown on profiteers. He directed the administration to seize hoarded goods and auction them under existing anti-profiteering laws to maintain price stability across the province.
The rise in prices of essential items and traditional Ramazan foods has become a recurring issue, particularly in Karachi, with the authorities struggling to enforce official prices. Weak administrative oversight, largely due to staff shortages, has left consumers at the mercy of retailers.
It was noted that in 2023, more than 100 section officers from various provincial departments were granted magisterial powers to tackle profiteering and hoarding during Ramazan in Karachi.
Presiding over a high-level meeting, CM Murad Ali Shah reiterated his stance that hoarding and artificial price hikes would not be tolerated. He reminded officials that anti-profiteering laws allow the government to seize and auction hoarded goods to prevent market manipulation.
During the meeting, Karachi’s commissioner briefed the CM about the ongoing operation of over 250 “Bachat Bazaars” (discount markets) in the city to provide relief to the public. The chief minister emphasized that these markets should be efficiently managed and regulated to ensure their smooth functioning and avoid traffic disruptions.
The CM instructed all divisional commissioners to ensure regular market visits to monitor prices and enforce compliance with official rates. He also ordered price lists to be printed and widely distributed, with strict monitoring of their implementation throughout Ramazan. Large retail stores were specifically instructed to keep their prices reasonable.
Utility Concerns
In addition to price control, the chief minister expressed serious concern over gas shortages and called for uninterrupted supply during Ramazan. He also directed the Karachi mayor to ensure adequate water supply and instructed the provincial energy minister to coordinate with power companies to prevent electricity load shedding.
Action Against Tampered Vehicles
In a separate meeting, the CM ordered the Excise Department to begin confiscating non-customs paid (NCP) vehicles and those with tampered chassis numbers being used in Karachi. Excise Minister Mukesh Chawla reported that his department had already seized four such vehicles, allegedly being used by customs officials. These vehicles had no valid number plates and altered chassis numbers.
The CM directed both the excise police and the district police to take swift action against such vehicles and submit a report to him.
The meeting was attended by key provincial ministers, officials from the supply and prices bureau, the Karachi mayor, chief secretary, police chief, and commissioners from major cities who joined via video link.
