Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah conducts surprise market visits to review prices during Ramazan

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday conducted extensive visit to key commercial areas of Karachi to personally review prices of essential food items and ensure strict implementation of official rate lists during the holy month of Ramazan

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2026) Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday conducted extensive visit to key commercial areas of Karachi to personally review prices of essential food items and ensure strict implementation of official rate lists during the holy month of Ramazan.

The chief minister was accompanied by Provincial Minister Nasir Shah, Special Assistant Usman Hingoro, Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Parliamentary Secretary Dr Bahadur Dahri and Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi.

The visit began at Burns Road, where the chief minister inspected prices of cooked food items, fruits and daily-use edibles. He checked rate lists displayed at shops and stalls and interacted directly with both shopkeepers and customers.

“Prices of food items and fruits must strictly follow the officially notified rates,” the chief minister said, adding that overcharging during Ramazan was “absolutely intolerable”.

During the visit, the chief minister stopped at a Dahi baray shop and purchased the item at Rs 600 per kilogram. He also expressed surprise at the price of jalebi being sold at Rs1,200 per kilogram. Commissioner Karachi informed him that while prices of most items are officially fixed, jalebi does not currently fall under a notified price category.

Despite the shopkeeper’s reluctance to accept payment, the chief minister insisted on paying the full amount.

The chief minister also spent time speaking with traders and shoppers, posed for selfies with citizens, and even stepped behind a shop counter to observe buying and selling practices firsthand. In a gesture of goodwill, he provided Rs 5,000 to a person with disabilities to help him purchase iftar items for him and his family.

After Burns Road, the chief minister proceeded to Empress Market, where shopkeepers warmly welcomed him. He checked fruit rate lists at stalls and compared them with actual selling prices.

At one fruit cart, the official rate for berries was Rs120 per kilogram, while the vendor was selling them at Rs100 per kilogram. The vendor explained that prices had been reduced as the time for breaking the fast was approaching.

The chief minister also inquired about the prices of apples and pomegranates, which were being sold at Rs 265 and Rs 300 per kilogram, respectively. He reviewed price lists for dates at dry fruit shops and inspected vegetable prices, noting that bottle gourd was selling at Rs 58 per kilogram, brinjal at Rs 52 per kilogram, and carrots at Rs 46 per kilogram. “All stalls have displayed rate lists,” the spokesperson confirmed.

The chief minister further asked vendors whether they faced any harassment from authorities. “No one troubles us,” shopkeepers replied.

During the visit, the chief minister inspected the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s Price Complaint cell at Empress Market and also reviewed the under-construction meat market. Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab briefed him on the progress of restoration and rehabilitation work at the facility.

Concluding the visit, the chief minister reiterated that the provincial government would not tolerate profiteering or exploitation of consumers during Ramazan and directed the administration to remain vigilant and responsive to public complaints.