LAHORE: Taking notice of the hike in prices of some vegetables, especially tomatoes, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sunday instructed the Provincial Cabinet Committee on Price Control to take immediate steps to provide relief to the people. He instructed the departments concerned to take necessary initiatives and play an active and vibrant role to bring stability in prices. He ordered price control magistrates to keep a watchful eye at prices and take strict action indiscriminately against profiteers. “The cabinet committee should visits markets and bazaars to review prices and make sure that there is not any compromise on quality as well,” he added. The chief minister said that the people could not be left at the mercy of the profiteers and added that no one would be allowed exploit the masses. The chief minister directed strict action against hoarders as well. Meanwhile, the chief minister Sunday paid a glowing tribute to Lieutenant Arslan Alam, who was martyred in a cross-border in Rajgal valley of Khyber Agency the other day. “Lieutenant Arslan Alam had embraced martyrdom while fighting against terrorists with valour. We all are proud of the sacrifices being made by our courageous soldiers,” he maintained. Shehbaz said that the whole nation was united against terrorism, and added that the blood of martyrs would not go in vain. The chief minister expressed hope that terrorism would be wiped out from the country with the power of unity. He said that sacrifices of brave people would be remembered forever. Separately, the chief minister expressed sorrow over the death of three people due to the suffocation while cleaning a manhole in Faisalabad. The chief minister ordered authorities concerned to investigate into the matter and present a report to him. He also directed the administration to provide best medical facilities to the injured. Also the chief minister congratulated the PIAF-Founders Alliance over its victory in the annual elections of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industries. The CM congratulated newly elected LCCI President Tahir Javaid Malik, Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rashid, Vice President Zeeshan Khalil and other officials. He also extended his best wishes to Falahat Imran for being elected as the president of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries. He said that the business community was playing an important role for the progress of the country. “I hope that the newly elected leadership of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industries will play their part in full capacity for resolving issues of industrialists and traders,” he added. Published in Daily Times, September 25th 2017.