Congratulations; near about 99% business community of the Punjab province is expected to be an honest business man after a bird eye view on the given facts & figures, but with positive minds. According to news agencies, 72,000 inspections had been conducted in one day i.e. 13 March 2024 across the Punjab province which resulted 528 people arrested with 185 cases registered against overcharging and violation of the Price Control Act. According to a handout on 29 March, a total of 259,186 inspections had been conducted during the month of March in Dera Ghazi Khan Division which resulted 1865 people arrested. Price control magistrates of only Faisalabad division had inspected 147,661 shops and grocery stores across the division and imposed a total fine of Rs.12.0665 million on 10,033 shopkeepers on the charges of overcharging and non-display of rate lists at conspicuous places. Some 958 shopkeepers were also arrested in addition to sealing 13 shops and getting 45 cases registered on sheer violation of the Price Control Act during December 2023 to February 2024.
Certainly, the figures are so much encouraging which of course, resulted almost 99% as an honest businessman among the business community of the Punjab province and thus it can be said that the administration seems committed against over-charging and violation of price lists and taking immediate action on complaints regarding illegal profiteering and implementing a zero-tolerance policy against artificial shortages especially during the holy Ramadan. Efforts are also being made to evaluate officers’ performance during field operations, ensuring effective enforcement of fair pricing policies and availability of essential commodities to the public by the Districts administration. On the other hand, the above-mentioned figures has been indicated and even propagated by the public to show the business community as dishonest. They are of the opinion that though, the district administration has fixed prices of meat, roti, rice, besan, vegetables, fruits and other edibles, shopkeepers used to ignore it and charge what they want to and people have no other option but to buy edibles at rates fixed by shopkeepers. Public argues that the establishment of Ramadan bazaars are the proof that the writ of the government in public markets could not be established. People says that Politicians and bureaucrats never go to bazaars for purchasing edibles so they would not understand the plight of the common man. The concerned officials have been saying that the dearness is due to the non-cooperation of the consumers. They say hardly any consumer comes forward to lodge a complaint against unjustified price hike by shopkeepers and buy the items on exorbitant rates instead of lodging complaints against exploitation. In short, it is to decide that Government is producing truthful figures or public approaches & attitudes is towards honesty in Punjab province. The new government and especially the enthusiastic Chief Minister of the Punjab respected Maryam Nawaz Shareef is expected to see and scan the “RESPONSE & REACTION” which is basically the bone of contention between Public & republic which would make the nation clear whether bureaucracy efforts and figures are honest or incorrect or public attitude and approach is optimistic or undesirable.
Ramadan is a month of deep devotion and dedication. The fasting of the month of Ramadan leads a man to become fully humanized. Generous deeds are rewarded greatly in the holy days of Ramadan. The last ten days of Ramadan encompass great impact in the blessed month. It is the Ramadan which makes its impact by overhauling souls, nurturing sound hearts, feelings, and thoughts, along with narrowing every kind of stiffness and severity. Now, the Ramadan and its blessing is near to end. It is the duty of public and republic to be honest and truthful with God and should take care of each other and be loyal to each other. Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (May peace be upon him) as saying: If one does not abandon falsehood and other actions like it, God has no need that one should abandon one’s food and drink (Sahih Bukhari).
.
The author is a professor of Islamic Studies at Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan.
