Naanbais in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have further increased the price of roti, naan (bread) and paratha by up to Rs10 immediately and without the approval of the administration.
Interestingly, the district administrations in both cities seem to have given tacit approval to the hike in the price of the basic commodity as Naanbais started selling the bread at the new price.
The Naanbais cited the hike in the price of wheat flour, natural gas and electricity tariffs as the reason for the increase in the price of roti and naan.
The naanbais have increased the price of red flour roti (patiri) from Rs15 to Rs20, the price of naan from Rs20 to Rs25, the price of seed-blended naan from Rs25 to Rs35 and the price of paratha and rogani naan from Rs40 to Rs50.
On the other hand, tandoor owners have also reduced the weight of different types of bread made of substandard flour.
Consumers complained that Tandoor owners use substandard flour and ghee for making rotis and parathas, posing threats to the health of people.
Ali Jibran, a local, said that tandoor owners are minting money at the cost of the health of the people. “I have registered a complaint with the Rawalpindi Food Authority and the price control magistrate but to no avail,” he said.
Tandoor owners said that the gas electricity tariff of commercial consumers including tandoors has been increased by 150 per cent in the last six months and the price of natural gas for commercial consumers has been increased by 100 per cent.
Meanwhile, tea selling shops and small roadside hotels have raised the price of a cup of tea to Rs50.
The cost of live chicken has climbed to Rs345 per kg in urban and Rs360 per kg in suburban areas. The cost of chicken meat has been increased to Rs517 per kg in urban and Rs 525 per kg in rural areas. Broiler eggs are now available at Rs280 per dozen and brown eggs at Rs 550 per dozen.
Moreover, beef meat price has climbed to Rs1,000 per kg and the price of mutton to Rs1,800 per kg,. Citizens Haji Dilpazeer, Shaukat Awan and Amar Yasir Mithu said that people belonging to low-income groups are no more able to bear the inflation.
They said that the government has not only destroyed the country's economy but also made the lives of the people miserable.
They said that the new wave of inflation will force people to commit robberies, thefts, street crimes, and suicide.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2022.
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