NASEERABAD: The Deputy Commissioner of Naseerabad, Munir Ahmed Khan Kakar, has launched a crackdown on an artificial surge in the price of tomatoes, ordering immediate action against those engaged in profiteering.
Following the directive, the Assistant Commissioner of Dera Murad Jamali, Bahadur Khan Khosa, led a team on a series of surprise inspections across the city’s markets, vegetable stalls, and trading centres. The operation resulted in on-the-spot fines for a number of shopkeepers found to be selling tomatoes above the government-mandated rates. Others were issued stern warnings of stringent legal consequences for any repeat offences.
Addressing the media, Assistant Commissioner Khosa stated, “Providing relief to the public is our foremost priority. We will not permit anyone to exploit consumers through illicit profiteering.”
He further confirmed that daily market inspections are being conducted to ensure strict adherence to the official price lists. Citizens were also encouraged to lodge complaints directly with the district administration regarding any instances of overcharging, with a guarantee of prompt action.
Also read: Tomato prices skyrocket to Rs 300 per Kg in Loralai
The ongoing closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is creating severe hardship for populations on both sides, causing a dramatic spike in the price of essential goods and growing shortages.
In Peshawar, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the price of tomatoes has soared to an unprecedented 400 rupees per kilogram. This crisis stems from a severe shortage in local markets following the suspension of tomato shipments from Afghanistan. The supply of Iranian tomatoes has also been affected, further exacerbating the shortage and driving prices to what citizens are calling “uncontrollable” levels. The rising cost has forced many households to seek alternatives, such as yogurt, in their daily cooking.
