The Punjab government has launched a crackdown on the sale of overpriced bread. This initiative comes after a directive that saw the district administration inspect 2,265 naan and bread sellers within the city over the last day.
These inspections revealed that 280 establishments were not adhering to the government-mandated price of 16 PKR per unit of bread. As a result, the district administration has taken firm action by registering 98 cases and arresting 75 individuals for price violations. Additionally, fines totalling over 300,000 PKR have been levied against various bakery owners for non-compliance.
This enforcement drive follows a recent reduction in flour prices, prompting the Punjab government to set new pricing standards for bread and naan. In Multan, similar enforcement under the Price Control Act led to the sealing of six hotels and the arrest of 10 people for overcharging.
Provincial Minister of Food Bilal Yasin actively participated in these compliance efforts, conducting raids in the Thokar, Karim Park, and Temple Road areas of Lahore. During these raids, 13 individuals were arrested, and their bakeries were sealed.
Minister Yasin emphasized that the government will not tolerate the sale of bread and naan above the set prices of 16 PKR for bread and 20 PKR for naan, ensuring affordability for the public.
However, the stringent enforcement measures have sparked a backlash among the bakery community, particularly in the Rawalpindi division, where bakers have initiated a strike. This protest has led to the closure of several bakeries in areas including Kallar Syedan, Jatli, Gujar Khan, and Taxila, demonstrating the tensions between bakers and the government over these price controls.
