LAHORE (MNN); Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday pledged “strict and indiscriminate action” against anyone found hoarding goods or inflating prices during the holy month of Ramazan.
According to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the first day of Ramazan is expected to fall on February 19, 2026. However, the official announcement will be made by the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee after verifying credible moon-sighting testimonies from across the country.
In a statement posted on X, the chief minister emphasized that exploiting citizens during the sacred month would not be tolerated. She added that comprehensive directives and enforcement strategies would be finalized in a meeting scheduled for Monday morning.
Earlier this week, the Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department directed the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (Pera) to ensure that essential food items are available at government-notified prices throughout Ramazan.
During a meeting on Monday, Special Assistant Salma Butt said preparations for price control during the holy month had been completed, warning that strict legal action would be taken against profiteers.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a Rs38 billion Ramazan Relief Package for 2026. Addressing the launch ceremony, he said the amount would be distributed through digital bank accounts to 12.1 million deserving families across all four provinces, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, without discrimination.
