Magistrates fail to control rates of essential goods

After the US dollar hit the Rs300 barrier in the open market, the prices of all imported products including oil, ghee and pulses have soared, badly affecting the purchasing power of the common man.

The benefits of the reduction in prices of petroleum products have not reached the masses because of the exchange rate of the US dollar going through the roof owing to the extremely tense political situation of the country.

The administration seems helpless not only in reducing the transport fares but also in bringing down the prices of essential commodities which have increased to a record high in the open market.

According to sources, 60 price control magistrates across the Rawalpindi district have completely failed to control the price of essential goods in the open market.

Sources said the price of live chicken in the open market is Rs460 per kg while the chicken meat is being sold at Rs750 per kg.

Similarly, beef is being sold at Rs1,100, mutton at Rs2,000, milk at Rs200 per litre, yoghurt at Rs220 per kg, oil at Rs620, ghee at Rs570, sugar at Rs110, flour at Rs150 and lentils at Rs290 per kg.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2023.