RAWALPINDI: Commissioner Noorul Amin Mengal gave 24 hours to the managements of all marriage halls and marquees to strictly follow timings set for ceremonies in the four districts of Rawalpindi division.

He also directed administrative officers to form special squads to enforce the government’s ban on one-dish wedding ceremonies.

In a letter, he directed administrative officers of the division to inform managements of wedding halls, marquees and the public about the ban and asked all deputy commissioners to impose fines on those caught violating rules.

On the other hand, delegations of several associations of Rawalpindi told the commissioner that relief should be provided to the people through mutual cooperation and the district administration should take steps towards collaboration with associations.

Mr Mengal said poultry rates and prices of food items should be fixed in consultation with traders and then enforced.

The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner Coordination Saif Anwar Japa, Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq as well as officials from associations including Shahid Ghazanfar Paracha, Malik Zahoor and Sheikh Arif.

The rate list should be prominently displayed on all the poultry shops and all the price magistrates should play an active role in enforcing the fixed rates, he said, adding every price magistrate should display his official card prominently and an official seal should be affixed on the fine receipts.

He said if the price magistrate does not provide his official card, this should be immediately reported to the deputy commissioner’s office. The issues and suggestions of grocery shop owners and poultry association members were also discussed in detail in the meeting. The delegation members said that they would fully cooperate with the commissioner and district administration.

Talking to Dawn, Rawalpindi Merchant Association president Saleem Pervaiz Butt said that the government directed traders through the commissioner to sell edibles as per the official price list, prepared by District Price Committee and display the rate lists outside all shops within 24 hours.

He said that the commissioner warned about taking strict action against those who violate the government’s orders. Earlier, he said, the supply would be improved in the coming two to three days.

He said all shopkeepers had been asked to display the rate list in prominent places of their shops so customers would pay according to the rate list, adding that shopkeepers accepted these directives.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2022