Islamabad (TNS): A comprehensive public survey conducted across the town’s principal commercial centres suggests that the price control campaign led by Special Price Magistrate Chaudhry Shafqat Mahmood has begun to restore market discipline and consumer confidence amid persistent inflationary pressures.
Interviews with residents, traders and shoppers in the main bazaars, as well as the fruit and vegetable market, indicate a marked improvement in compliance with officially notified price lists. Many respondents observed that surprise inspections and on-the-spot enforcement actions have reinforced the writ of the administration in retail markets where overpricing had previously been a recurring concern.
Citizens pointed to the visible display of government rate lists at shops — now prominently affixed in most outlets surveyed — as evidence of stricter oversight. Several respondents maintained that the regular presence of the price magistrate in marketplaces has acted as a deterrent against profiteering and arbitrary price hikes.
Babar Hussain, a local resident, described the recent campaign as “a practical intervention rather than a symbolic exercise”, noting that daily monitoring had translated into measurable relief for ordinary consumers. “Inflation cannot be eliminated overnight, but enforcement of notified rates at least protects the public from exploitation,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Haji Azam emphasised that access to essential food items at regulated prices was a fundamental public right. He observed that the imposition of fines, coupled with formal warnings to violators, had signalled administrative resolve. “Consistency in enforcement is what ensures credibility,” he added.
Members of the trader community, while acknowledging tighter scrutiny, largely characterised the drive as structured and uniform rather than arbitrary. Some shopkeepers noted that clear enforcement guidelines had created a level playing field, discouraging unfair practices that distort market competition.
In a statement, Special Price Magistrate Chaudhry Shafqat Mahmood reiterated that action against profiteers would continue without discrimination, in line with policy directives issued by the Punjab government. He said complaints received from citizens were being processed on priority and encouraged the public to report violations to strengthen regulatory effectiveness.
The survey findings suggest that beyond immediate price adjustments, the campaign has contributed to rebuilding public trust in local governance mechanisms. Observers, however, cautioned that sustained vigilance — not episodic crackdowns — would be essential to institutionalise price stability and safeguard consumer interests over the long term.
