LAHORE: The Punjab food safety and consumer protection (FS&CP) department has instructed the Pera force to ensure availability of food items at officially notified prices across Punjab during Ramazan.

Chairing a departmental meeting regarding prices of essential commodities during Ramazan on Monday, Special Assistant for FS&CP Salma Butt said the department had completed all preparations ahead of Ramazan.

She said the Pera force should take strict legal action against those found involved in overcharging. She said the representatives of the Punjab Food Authority would also be pres ent in Sahulat bazaars to ensure the quality of commodities.

Ms Butt directed the Pera force to inform the FS&CP department before taking action related to encroachments and prices in vegetable and fruit markets across Punjab, so that wholesale traders should not face unnecessary difficulties.

Before Ramazan, she said, all sub-divisional enforcement officers of the Pera would be provided with rate lists of commodities to ensure complete awareness regarding prices and supply during Ramazan.

The special assistant said the Pera force should immediately inform the FS&CP department in case of any shortage of essential items in any district of Punjab.

Pera officers from Lahore and all districts of Punjab participated in the meeting online.

fire hydrants: The installation of fire hydrants by the Water and Sanitation Agencies (Wasas) in Lahore and other districts is progressing fast to effectively deal with any fire incidents occurring across the province.

According to a spokesman, as many as 181 fire hydrants have already been installed at various locations across Punjab, while 980 new fire hydrants are being installed at a number of places, including markets, shopping centres, hotels etc.

The installation of four fire hydrants at Hafizabad and 11 in Gujrat has also been completed, the spokesperson says.

He says that Faisalabad will have the highest number – 118 fire hydrants –which are being installed.

He says the quality of fire hydrant installation is being ensured by the respective Wasa authorities, while Rescue 1122 will conduct mock drills to ensure effective utilisation of these hydrants.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2026