Citizens urge crackdown on profiteers ahead of Ramazan

ISLAMABAD:

Citizens of the twin cities urged the administration to crackdown on profiteers and hoarders who have hiked up the prices of essential items twofold as the holy month of Ramazan is around the corner.

A market survey conducted by APP found that prices of staples, kitchen items, fruits, and vegetables have all increased significantly before the start of Ramazan.

While some shopkeepers claim that market players are responsible for the price hike, citizens believe that leniency on the part of price control committees is the main reason behind the soaring prices. Many residents have also reported that shopkeepers and fruit vendors are not complying with the rate list issued by the district administration. As a result, citizens are calling for strict action against violators of the rate list, especially during Ramazan, so that profiteers and hoarders cannot exploit the common people. Some fruit and vegetable vendors have also been accused of hoarding produce in cold stores and then selling them at excessive rates just before the start of Ramazan.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2023.