The Punjab government announced new actions on 23 February 2026 to control prices of food and essential items as the holy month of Ramadan continues across the province. Officials said they will tighten enforcement to reduce profiteering and hoarding in markets.
Strengthened Enforcement Measures
Authorities deployed price control magistrates to inspect markets, shops, bazaars and open-air stalls across all districts of Punjab. They conducted tens of thousands of inspections and registered cases against traders who charged above official price lists and stored goods to inflate prices. Law enforcement also sealed shops and applied fines to violators. Officials said they will monitor auctions for fruits and vegetables with technology to stop artificial price jumps. Many markets require sellers to display official rate cards.
Officials also reviewed arrangements at Ramadan Sahulat Bazaars, where food is sold at subsidised rates, and called for continuous oversight to make these bazaars effective. More personnel are assigned to ensure rate lists are followed in open markets and that consumers can buy essentials at fair costs.
Impact on Consumers
The extended scrutiny is intended to help take pressure off families wanting to buy fruits, vegetables, flour, and sugar during Ramadan. The presence of steady prices in the government bazaars and in open markets would lead to the reduction of price spikes so that families would no longer be worried about the acquisition of basic foodstuffs. However, there is still the problem of price enforcement and consumer relief as demand increases and supply decreases in certain cities.
