Prices of food items soar in twin cities

Vegetable and fruit rates witness hike up to 40 per cent

ISLAMABAD:

Owing to the gap in supply and demand, prices of essential commodities including vegetables and fruit have witnessed a sharp hike of up to 40 per cent in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi during the month of Ramazan.

A market survey conducted on Wednesday showed that the price of poultry chicken has increased by 40 per cent. The poultry price has increased from Rs170 to Rs280 per kg in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Pakistan Poultry Association representatives said that soybeans and other seeds were being imported for making feed and that was why the price has gone up.

The price of high-quality apple has gone up to Rs300 and secondary quality up to Rs200 per kg as compared to Rs200 and Rs120 per kg respectively prior to the start of Ramazan. Similarly, the price of guava has gone up from Rs120 to Rs200 per kg while watermelon is being sold at Rs100 per kg. Likewise, the price of bananas has also gone up to Rs200 per dozen as compared to their sale price of Rs100 and Rs120 per dozen prior to the start of the fasting month. Similarly, prices of strawberries, citrus, melon and other fruit have also increased by 30 to 40 per cent.

Read Ramazan price hike

According to the survey, prices of various food items including ghee and cooking oil, basin, dates, pulses and white gram rose by 15 to 20 per cent with the advent of the holy month.

The price of edible oil and ghee and imported cooking oil has increased by 20 to 25 per cent.

Meanwhile, citizens in Rawalpindi and Islamabad said that with the advent of Ramadan, the daily use items have become more expensive. Fatima Naureen, a housewife, said that the prices of fruit and vegetable have gone up and the local administration has failed to regulate prices even in ‘Sasta bazaars’.

Atif Ahmed, a government servant, said that with the advent of Ramadan, necessities have become more expensive. He said that ‘saasta bazaar’ have been set up far away from residential areas and fasting citizens face difficulty in visiting them for their being far away.

Read Vegetable prices go up

On Wednesday, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat ordered capital administration to expedite the strict crackdown against artificial inflation and profiteers during Ramazan to ensure a smooth supply of eatables.

The sale of food items over and above the fixed prices would be intolerable and strict action would be taken against those who did not display price lists at their shops’ prominent places, he said, adding that several inspection teams were formed under assistant commissioners and magistrates to ensure regular monitoring of prices of fruits and vegetables across the capital city including rural areas.

Price control magistrates and district officers were also directed to take strict action against overcharging and hoarding in their respective areas, he said.

Any stall selling expensive and unhealthy vegetables and fruits would be sealed after imposition of heavy fines, he warned.

Additional Input from APP

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2022.