Face masks buying frenzy causes artificial shortage.

PESHAWAR -- As the coronavirus threat has created fear in the whole world, panic buying of face masks has caused its shortage and price escalation by mammoth proportions. Similar is the situation in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where prices of face masks have gone beyond the reach of the common man and hoarders have created its artificial shortage. On Friday, the district administration of Peshawar moved on public complaints and initiated a crackdown against people involved in blackmarketing of face masks. The administration officials raided wholesale markets and sealed three shops for black-marketing and arrested the shop owners. The administration team comprising Additional Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Khan, Assistant Commissioner Syed Noman Ali Shah, Assistant Commissioner Sara Rehman and Additional Assistant C o m m i s s i o n e r Shahabuddin inspected various medicine and surgical equipment shops in Namak Mandi, Pepal Mandi and Karachi Market. Additional Assistant Commissioners Muhammad Shafiq Afridi and Zahir also visited different medical stores at...