LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed to initiate crackdown against those involved in an artificial price hike and directed the provincial price control committee to take necessary steps against hoarders and illegal profiteers in the province.

CM directed the administration to actively work for providing substantial relief to the general public. The DCs should personally monitor the price control steps and quality, as well as prices of essential items, be regularly monitored in Sunday bazaars, he added. The provincial cabinet committee for price control should ensure that essential items are available at fixed rates and action be initiated against those involved in the artificial price hike, the CM directed.

The people cannot be left at the mercy of illegal profiteers and the profiteering mafia will not be allowed to act at will, he stressed. The government will fully protect the interests of the common man and every possible step will be taken to give relief to the masses, he affirmed. Necessary administrative steps will be taken to stabilize the prices of essential items and no negligence will be tolerated in this regard. An illegal increase in the prices of essential items will not be tolerated, concluded the CM.