ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued orders to take 鈥渟trict legal action鈥� against hoarders and profiteers during the holy month of Ramadan, the Prime Minister鈥檚 Office (PMO) said on Monday.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, where Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset for a month. The Islamic month is expected to begin in Pakistan from March onwards. The month is followed by the sighting of the new moon and is marked by a religious holiday and celebration called Eid-ul-Fitr.

During Ramadan, the festive season when Muslims around the world look forward to gatherings with friends and family and feasts that begin after sundown, grocery sellers across Pakistan usually jack up prices of fruits and vegetables.

Pakistan has been grappling with soaring inflation for several months now, driven mostly by the fluctuating currency rate against the US dollar and changing oil prices. Last week, inflation in Pakistan hit a 24-week high at 41.52 percent on an annual basis during the outgoing week.

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the weekly inflation measured by Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) recorded a rise of 2.78 percent until 23rd February, with a major increase observed in the prices of food items.

In view of the situation, the premier held a meeting on Monday to discuss the availability of essential edible items during Ramadan and take steps to ensure prices remained stable.

鈥淧rime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed strict legal action against hoarders and profiteers during the month of Ramadan,鈥� the statement said.

鈥淎 free hand has been given to the district administration and law enforcement agencies in the federation and provinces to take the strongest possible action to be taken against profiteering, hoarding, and overcharging.鈥�

PM Sharif also directed authorities to initiate a 鈥渃lean-up operation鈥� in godowns, shops, and markets before Ramadan begins. He also told the federal government, as well as the chief ministers of Pakistan鈥檚 provinces, to control the prices of commodities so the masses are not further burdened.

鈥淚f a discrepancy is found in prices of commodities, action will be taken against the officers of the areas concerned,鈥� the PM said during the meeting. 鈥淲hoever harasses the public, let the law take hold of them, and no leniency should be shown.鈥�

He also said the supply of quality items should be ensured at utility stores across the country, directing authorities to set up mobile utility stores during the holy month.