JHANG: The anti-corruption establishment (ACE) and the district police officer (DPO) have launched an inquiry against a price control magistrate for alleged misuse of power and corruption.

However, he alleges that the move was made against him for taking action against profiteers.

District Environment Officer Nawaz Khan, having the powers of price control magistrate, along with Inspector Mazhar Abbas and other officials, raided a market on the Malohana Multan Road to check the prices of essential commodities.

He found two vendors selling fruit at exorbitant prices, and using the powers conferred upon him by the home department, sent them to thedistrict jail for three days.

Soon afterward, Muhammad Nawaz, a relative of the vendors, filed an application against Khan before the ACE director and the Jhang DPO, accusing him of having meals at his hotel for many days without paying the bill amounting to Rs7,000. When he demanded the outstanding dues, Khan, in revenge, sent his relatives to jail.

The ACE director summoned the price control magistrate where the officer explained his version, however, the inquiry was adjourned.

Meanwhile, the DPO has also launched a probe against the price control magistrate on the same charges.

Khan told the media he was being blackmailed by the profiteers.

RAMAZAN BAZAAR: The change of the venue of Ramazan Bazaar from the populated area ofJhang to a deserted site on the outskirts of the city has made it unreachable for low-income people and the poor.

Instead of travelling distance, they prefer to do shopping in other markets in the city.

The Jhang municipal area is historically and administratively divided into three segments -the city, Sadar and Satellite Town areas.

In the past, the Jhang City Ramazan bazaar was established at the grain market, located in the centre of the city, making it more approachable to the common people but this year the bazaar was shifted to a newly constructed park in the suburbs of the town, resulting in a cold response from the citizens.

The Ramazan bazaar has become a favourite place for the local shopkeepers to buy commodities at cheaper rates to sell them in the city.