Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered strict monitoring of food prices and market rules under Ramadan and warned that no profits should escape punishment and at the same time ensure that no innocent trader is unfairly targeted.

Chairman of a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, the Prime Minister reviewed the performance of the committee with supervision of the supply of significant raw materials at reduced prices. He praised the committee and Islamabad administration for their efforts to control inflation and ensure affordable food supplies.

“We are obliged to give maximum relief to the public under Ramadan,” Shehbaz said, instructing federal ministers and public representatives to regularly visit Ramadan Bazaars, Fair-Price stores and other designated markets to supervise the implementation of price control measures. He emphasized the need for continuous surveillance to ensure that citizens get significant raw materials at fair rates.

During the briefing, officials informed the prime minister that 16 light stalls, five Ramadan basers, 18 Fair award stores and various other relief measures had been created across Islamabad. Elements such as cooking oil, eggs, impulses, sugar and poultry were sold at lower market rates than the market.

To counter storage and profits, the authorities have conducted 4,915 inspections since the start of Ramadan, resulting in 785 arrests and fines of RS728,000. Officials said an online application was used to monitor the performance of Price Magistrates, while Pakistan Bait-Ul-Mal had created eight locations in the capital to provide free iftar meals to underprivileged citizens.

Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Talal Chaudhry and other senior officials attended the meeting.