Lockdown: citizens face shortage of necessities in Multan

20kg flour bag being sold for Rs1,200 instead of the Rs805 government rate

MULTAN: There is a shortage of everyday necessities during the lockdown in Multan. Hoarders are making a profit by taking advantage of the coronavirus fear as the prices of flour, fruits, vegetables, surgical masks and sanitisers have surged.

All shopping plazas and markets in the city are closed, while medical and general stores and fruit and vegetable shops are open as per the government's orders.

Flour is being sold for Rs1,200 per 20-kilogramme bag instead of the government rate of Rs805.

Shop owners have reportedly taken advantage of the flour crisis and raised prices. The prices of pulses, rice and sugar have also increased.

The government has set up flour stalls on various roads to end the artificial crisis, where the commodity is being provided to citizens after registration of their computerised national identity card (CNIC) number, but the consumers complained that the quality of the flour is not good.

The citizens are worried about the availability of face masks and sanitisers as well. The price of masks in the city has increased up to five-fold, while sanitisers are also being sold by illicit companies and shops at their own prices.

The efforts of the authorities to curb profiteering appear to be ineffective amid the difference between demand and supply.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2020.