Rawalpindi admin seals four tandoors, imposes fine
Naanbai association sent to jail under MPO
Nine tandoor owners detained in Attock

RAWALPINDI: In its ongoing campaign for the implementation of new prices of Roti, the Rawalpindi district administration imposed a fine of Rs170,000 on seven tandoor owners for not selling Roti at Rs16 and Naan at Rs20 and sealed four tandoors.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said the price magistrates were active in ensuring the implementation of the prices of Roti and Naan set by the Punjab government throughout the district.

He said that Roti weighing 100 grams would be sold at Rs16 and Naan weighing 120 grams at Rs20 while the district administration was continuing its efforts to ensure its implementation.

He said those who were found guilty of the violation would face cases as the provincial government made it clear that no negligence would be tolerated in this regard.

He said that the implementation of the prices of Roti and Naan by the Punjab government would be ensured in all cases. He said that after the reduction in the flour price, the price of Roti has also been reduced.

Meanwhile, the All Pakistan Naanbai Association president was sent to jail after he was detained by police under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) for allegedly inciting people against the Punjab government’s notification regarding the reduction in the price of Roti.

Rizwan Zafar, a head constable posted at Banni police station, lodged an FIR saying that he was sitting at a hotel near Razi Hospital when he came across a message on WhatsApp where one person was seen disputing the notification of the Punjab government in a video statement.

He said in the FIR that the man identified himself as Shafiq Qureshi, the president of the naan-bai association.

According to the FIR, Mr Qureshi claimed that the notification was fake and they would fight against the government and their organisations across Punjab had become active.

While addressing the tandoor owners, he told them not to reduce the prices of Roti as per the government’s directive. The police said that the said person incited people against the government by issuing statements against government policies and disrupting public peace.

Crackdown in Attock

The Attock district administration on Tuesday launched a crackdown on Naanbais, arresting nine tandoor owners and imposing a fine of Rs94,500. During the crackdown, 706 tandoors across the district were inspected.

Talking to journalists, Attock Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza said that price magistrates would carry out surprise visits to tandoors in all six tehsils in the morning and evening and the government would not allow anyone to sell bread at high prices.

Responding to a question, he claimed the price of a 20kg bag of flour had dropped by Rs500. He said the price list should be displayed in all shops and the local administration should ensure its implementation.

DC Raza said that the Punjab government had fixed the price of Roti at Rs16 for 100 grams, while the price of Naan was fixed at Rs20 for 120 grams. He requested the public to assist the divisional administration and register their complaints on 0800-02345.

— Amjad Iqbal in Taxila also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2024