ISLAMABAD:
The rising prices of edible commodities before Ramazan have left people, especially those belonging to low-income groups, at wit’s end.
“The sellers have already started fleecing the consumers and increased the prices from 10 to 20 per cent well before Ramazan,” said Amir Ahmed, a government employee, in the weekly bazaar of H-8. “Ramazan is a blessing for Muslims, but some people are using this holy month for profiteering and exploiting the high demand of edible goods,” he added.
The subsidized bazaars set up by the government are “useless” because they are few in number and are not easily to access, he said.
Salima Bano, who was purchasing groceries at the market, said that it is a common practice to sell products at inflated prices during Ramazan. She added those who make policies do not care for the poor, as they don’t know the real situation in the market.
According to a recent report published by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in July, the prices of 25 commodities including
poultry products, meat, vegetables, cooking oil, kitchen fuel and some pulses and fruits registered an average increase of 13 per cent; in contrast, 17 commodities registered an average decrease of 4 per cent, which is too meagre to offset the sharp increase in the price of important consumer items ahead of Ramazan.
FAFEN monitors collected prices of 46 commodities on July 10 from designated retail outlets in 145 towns in 77 districts across the four provinces and Islamabad Capital Territory and compared them against prices in June.
The price of tomatoes increased the most, up a whopping 157% from a month ago (from Rs22 to Rs56 per kg). Potatoes registered a price hike of 18%.
Wheat flour registered a 2% price increase; the price of chicken meat increased by 18 per cent, while live chicken registered an increase of 15% and eggs 13%. Mutton and beef each registered an increase of 3% in their prices.
Mustard and cooking oil registered an increase of 4 and 1% respectively.
In kitchen fuels, LPG’s price increased by 12%, whereas the price of firewood decreased
by 2%.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2011.
COMMENTS (7)
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it is simple economics: demand leads to price increase.
why do people complain, if they buy less prices will come down specially for items with a short shelf life
In UAE all prices are dropped but In Pakistan where all vegetables and fruits are grown, prices doubled. We are being ruled and run by dacoits. Every Pakistani is looting each other and we are heading towards a sad end. Poor Pakistan...
To control price and quality of consumeable items is the responsibily of districts governments, Provincial government and in some cases(non standard) items comes under PSQCA of federal government. Department of weight and measures of provincial government is responsible for correct weights/measures which is also a problem. It seems that all these depaprtments are either non functional or working in liasion with the hoarders and profiteers. It is also a fact that these departments lack in strength of staff and laboratories and also lack of devotion of existing staff. Now the best way remaining for public to punish the hoarders/black marketeers is boycotting those items whose prices have been abnormally increased. For example we should stop eating meat for one month, it will give no bad effect to health rather it will be better as you have seen, on TVs channels, what quality of meat is being sold in markets. In the same way one can stop using oil/ghee,sugar,milk,fruits for a month and prices will definitely come down immediately as most of the items are perishable. Pakistan has a lot of food items in surplus, which can be used as alternate, for example millions in this country are filling their stomachs with bread and qahwa, Piaz and Potatoes. Kindly think over for boycotting the costly items and live like a low income group family for a month, your health will improve due to simple food without any adulteration.
I do feel good about spending my Ramazan out of Pakistan, it's a bliss to see food items price unchanged. In major contrast to the land of pure, this secular country actually takes the prices down in the month of Christmas just so that everybody can enjoy it.
@Meekal Ahmed:
Do you even know what the CCP is responsible for? Cause your comment gives the impression that you have no idea.
What is the CCP doing?!
Can someone update me with actual prices of these items? I want to compare them with India and USA. BTW, Ramdan Karim to all muslim brothers!!!