Capital residents protest bread price hike

ISLAMABAD:

The residents of the federal capital have decried the inaction of the district administration against the naanbais who have been selling roti and naan beyond the official rates with impunity.

The citizens sought stringent action against the naanbais who have ignored the directives of the district administration, which has fixed prices of roti and naan at Rs15 and Rs20 respectively.

Muhammad Abbas of the F-7 area says naanbaais of his locality hush up the customers when the latter raise fingers over higher rates. "It seems the district administration is either not visiting the area or keeping their eyes closed over the issue deliberately."

Muhammad Azam from the G-8 sector is of the view that the district administration was supposed to ensure the selling of all the commodities at official rates. "In addition to roti and naan, other commodities are also being sold at higher rates. Roti is not a luxury as it is a basic need," he said, adding many hotels and tandoors were allegedly selling roti/naan at higher rates in connivance with some black sheep in the district administration. He demanded action against the officials who were rather indulged in malpractices or failing to perform their duties.

The office of the spokesman of the ICT administration told The Express Tribune that the position is vacant. Attempts to reach out to the designated Assistant Commissioners (ACs) including Farhan Ahmed, for version, but to no avail.

The admin has instructed its officers to inspect all tandoors in the city and ensure that they are following the government's rate list.