Pakistan

#Fruitboycott receives mixed response in twin cities

Some vendors report lack of customers on the first day of public boycott

Photo Zafar Aslam/APP June 03, 2017

Stalls are bereft of customers following calls on social media for a strike against fruit vendors to protest against the price hike. PHOTO: ZAFAR ASLAM/Express

RAWALPINDI: Owing to a hike in fruit and vegetable prices with the advent of Ramazan, a campaign which began on social media translated into a lack of customers for some fruit vendors on their stalls on Friday.

The #fruitboycott trend began on social media networks such as Facebook and on microblogging site Twitter as a mark of protest over prices of fruit which have skyrocketed ever since Ramazan began.

The campaign, launched by a consumer rights group, urged people to desist from buying fruit for three days from Friday to Sunday.

Fruit sales in Karachi dip as citizens' boycott campaign on social media meets success

The boycott hopes to compel suppliers not to fleece the people during the holy month and lower prices in the open market.

Even as the trend ran into trouble online where it deeply divided opinion, it did seem to have some effect on the ground with a large number of citizens not buying fruit on Friday.

Some residents said that it was unfortunate that every year during the Ramazan, the prices of fruits and vegetables witness a hike across the country where vendors indulge in profiteering, negating the message of piety and tolerance the month stands for.

Ali, a resident, argued that a fast can also be broken by a date and a glass of juice.

“It is not essential that fruit should be a part and parcel of Iftar,” he said.

Ali added that this was the first time that such a protest was being recorded in the country and that perhaps it should have taken place earlier.

Rizwana, a housewife, while appreciating the move hoped that the prices of fruits and vegetables would fall, making it affordable for people to purchase them.

She urged the general public to encourage the move and participate in the campaign.

Prices of fruits, vegetables skyrocket in Ramazan bazaars

Ahmed Shakeel said that the fruit boycott in Islamabad should actually last the entire year. However, there were some who disagreed with the boycott.

“I have lived in Islamabad, and I never saw a rich fruit seller. They just make both ends meet by selling fruit under the scorching sun,” wrote Faizi.

“What is this fruit boycott? It penalises the poor vendor, not the middle man who is hoarding and profiteering,” remarked Senator Sherry Rehman.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2017.

COMMENTS (1)

Aware Citizen | 6 years ago | Reply Govt gives incentives each year in budget for landlords and agricultural sector.But result, at the end high prices to end users and customers. Since decades no agricultural tax created monoploy of influenced feudal loanlords.

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