In the Land of Pure prices are increased manifold to loot people
ISLAMABAD: Just within the first two days of Ramazan, a massive price hike has been observed in not just the capital of the country but also adjoining cities like Rawalpindi and Lahore. Street vendors and even supermarkets selling commodities that are purchased in bulk in the holy month have increased their prices.
Around the world, most countries reduce their prices during the time of their religious festivities — such as Christmas, Deewali or Hanukkah — in order to make commodities affordable for everyone. In fact Muslim countries in the Middle East too sell products at discounted prices. But in the Land of Pure prices are increased manifold to loot people.
It is an open secret that wholesalers make huge profits during Ramazan in Pakistan, enough profit to last them the whole year. And such blatant exploitation of consumers is often overlooked by the authorities concerned. Despite the consumers pleading year after year of this so-called “Ramazan price hike”, the authorities concerned have done little to reverse it.
Talha Makhdoom Baig
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2018.
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