Punjab Information Technology Board has reported that its Qeemat Punjab System, developed for the Government of Punjab, played a significant role in monitoring and regulating market prices during the holy month of Ramzan, receiving 522 complaints related to overpricing from citizens across the province through the Qeemat Punjab application. Out of the total complaints received, 454 were resolved by Price Control Magistrates within the mandated 24-hour response timeframe, with strict enforcement action taken against violators resulting in fines totalling 352,000 rupees.
The Qeemat Punjab application is regularly updated with the daily government-notified rates for essential commodities including fruits, vegetables, and poultry, giving consumers a reliable reference point when assessing whether they are being charged above official prices. Through the platform, citizens can file complaints not only about overpricing but also about the unavailability of official price lists at shops, substandard quality of goods, and inappropriate conduct by shopkeepers, with all complaints routed for prompt action to ensure timely relief. The system has been designed to create a direct feedback loop between consumers and the district administration, reducing the barriers that previously prevented citizens from formally reporting pricing violations.
PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf described the system as playing a vital role in enabling citizens to register complaints instantly and receive relief in a timely manner, while simultaneously improving transparency and accountability in the performance of district administrations across Punjab. The Ramzan period, which typically sees heightened demand for essential items and a corresponding risk of price manipulation by retailers, served as a practical test of the platform’s effectiveness at scale, with the resolution rate and enforcement figures indicating that the system is functioning as an active tool for consumer protection rather than a passive complaint registry.
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