LAHORE: Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Zeeshan Malik, and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore Muhammad Ali Ijaz conducted a joint visit to the Lahore General Bus Stand on Saturday to review passenger facilities and transport operations. During the visit, the officials took strict notice of overcharging, poor service standards, and passengers travelling on rooftops of buses, directing immediate action against violators.
Large-Scale Crackdown Launched
Following their instructions, authorities launched a large-scale crackdown across Lahore, sealing more than 20 bus stands over serious violations of transport regulations. Six individuals were also arrested for overcharging and other illegal activities. The administration also suspended the bus stand administrator over negligence and poor performance.
Transport Minister Bilal Akbar said no compromise would be made on public transport standards, adding that strict action would continue against those exploiting passengers. Advisor Zeeshan Malik said transport mafias involved in overcharging and illegal practices would be eliminated, while Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Ijaz said maintaining discipline and service standards at transport terminals remained a priority and negligence would not be tolerated.
Price Violations Crackdown
In a separate operation, the district administration sealed seven shops and arrested six individuals during a large-scale crackdown against artificial price hikes and violations of official rates in Lahore markets. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore Muhammad Ali Ijaz as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the availability of essential food items at government-notified prices and curb profiteering.
Inspections and Fines
According to official details, assistant commissioners and price magistrates carried out daily inspections across the city, during which 3,965 locations were checked for price compliance. As a result, 96 violations of the price control laws were detected, leading to fines amounting to Rs194,000. Authorities also intensified action against hoarders and profiteers, sealing seven shops and arresting six individuals over serious violations.
The administration reported that prices of major commodities, including potatoes, onions, tomatoes and ginger, remained stable in Lahore markets, while garlic, lemons, apples and melons witnessed a decline in rates. It was further revealed that 64 trucks of onions and 38 trucks of potatoes arrived in the city markets, improving supply and helping stabilize prices of essential commodities.
DC Lahore directed field officers to ensure the display of official price lists at all shops and ordered strict action under the Price Control Act against hoarders and violators. He said artificial inflation would not be tolerated and instructed price control magistrates to maintain strict daily monitoring of markets to ensure transparency and relief for citizens.
