Traders reject government prices for essential items
Price magistrates launch crackdown on overcharging, profiteers
Price magistrates launch crackdown on overcharging, profiteers. PHOTO: FILE
RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD:
Traders in the federal capital have rejected a price list of essential items and edibles on the eve of Ramazan and have instead announced to sell items on prices they set.
The statement comes as price magistrates in the neighbouring Rawalpindi Division launched a crackdown against profiteers and hoarders.
Islamabad Traders Union President Kashif Chaudhry said on Sunday that they simply could not sell items at cheaper rates as prescribed by the government when they have bought goods at higher rates.
He added that owing to inflation, they were already selling things without earning any real profit.
Chaudhry, however, stated that the condition could change if the government ensured the supply of these items on cheaper rates.
Protesting against the raids on shops and markets by the district authorities, he warned that they will stage a demonstration apart from shutting down the markets if the raids did not stop.
He added that the country’s economy was in tatters while the global lending body, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) appeared to have taken control of the national treasury. As an example, he said that the price of sugar had jumped by Rs3 per kilogramme within the span of a month while the owner of a sugar mill earns Rs64 billion in profit.
Similarly, at a news conference at a local hotel in Islamabad, the Abpara Market President Malik Zaheer said that the government should understand the language of love rather than force.
“How else will they get things done in their way,” Zaheer asked, adding that they wanted to remain peaceful.
Pakistan Trader Alliance Chairman Sheikh Saleem said that they have gone to the government and the bureaucracy several times, however, it should be decided who was dependent on whom.
Exasperated, he stated that they were ready to sell everything for free if the government supplied them meat, vegetables and fruit at low rates.
Further, he said that the government should not make attempts to financially murder them.
“A single day’s strike will compel the government to walk to us,” he warned.
Islamabad Chamber of Small Business and Traders Chairman Kamran Abbasi, who is affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that a traders’ action committee should be formed immediately. He also defended the government by stating that the government cannot be blamed for everything and tried to suggest that the trader’s community was divided on the matter.
He, however, lamented that the district administration used to resolve their matters swiftly some 20 years ago.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 7th, 2019.
Traders in the federal capital have rejected a price list of essential items and edibles on the eve of Ramazan and have instead announced to sell items on prices they set.
The statement comes as price magistrates in the neighbouring Rawalpindi Division launched a crackdown against profiteers and hoarders.
Islamabad Traders Union President Kashif Chaudhry said on Sunday that they simply could not sell items at cheaper rates as prescribed by the government when they have bought goods at higher rates.
He added that owing to inflation, they were already selling things without earning any real profit.
Chaudhry, however, stated that the condition could change if the government ensured the supply of these items on cheaper rates.
Protesting against the raids on shops and markets by the district authorities, he warned that they will stage a demonstration apart from shutting down the markets if the raids did not stop.
He added that the country’s economy was in tatters while the global lending body, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) appeared to have taken control of the national treasury. As an example, he said that the price of sugar had jumped by Rs3 per kilogramme within the span of a month while the owner of a sugar mill earns Rs64 billion in profit.
Similarly, at a news conference at a local hotel in Islamabad, the Abpara Market President Malik Zaheer said that the government should understand the language of love rather than force.
“How else will they get things done in their way,” Zaheer asked, adding that they wanted to remain peaceful.
Pakistan Trader Alliance Chairman Sheikh Saleem said that they have gone to the government and the bureaucracy several times, however, it should be decided who was dependent on whom.
Exasperated, he stated that they were ready to sell everything for free if the government supplied them meat, vegetables and fruit at low rates.
Further, he said that the government should not make attempts to financially murder them.
“A single day’s strike will compel the government to walk to us,” he warned.
Islamabad Chamber of Small Business and Traders Chairman Kamran Abbasi, who is affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that a traders’ action committee should be formed immediately. He also defended the government by stating that the government cannot be blamed for everything and tried to suggest that the trader’s community was divided on the matter.
He, however, lamented that the district administration used to resolve their matters swiftly some 20 years ago.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 7th, 2019.