Price hikes hit twin cities ahead of Ramazan

Citizens express dissatisfaction with quality of items sold in Sunday markets

RAWALPINDI:

With one month remaining until the start of Ramazan, price hikes continue to affect the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

A significant disparity has been pointed out between the prices listed on government rate lists and the prices of food items sold in Sunday bazaars.

Citizens have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of items sold in these markets, calling for improvements.

According to a survey, it was observed that potatoes were being sold for Rs90 per kilogramme at the Committee Chowk Sunday Bazaar, despite the official rate being capped at Rs52.

Similarly, onions were priced at Rs100 per kilogramme, whereas the official rate was Rs81, and tomatoes were selling at Rs80 per kilogramme, against the official price of Rs60.

Other discrepancies were noted with garlic, which was priced at Rs600 per kilogramme, compared to the official rate of Rs595 to Rs600, and local garlic at Rs540 per kilogramme.

Ginger was being sold between Rs480 and Rs500 per kilogramme, while the government price was set between Rs365 and Rs370.

Lemons were priced at Rs200 per kilogramme, against an official price of Rs90.

Additionally, eggplant was sold between Rs110 and Rs120 per kilogramme, while the official rate was Rs78, and capsicum was sold at Rs200 per kilogramme, though the government price was Rs80.

Consumers also reported inconsistencies with fruits, including apples, which were sold at Rs350 per kilogramme, despite the official rate being Rs280.

Rawalpindi to host 24 Ramazan relief bazaars

OUR CORRESPONDENT

RAWALPINDI. Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Engineer Aamir Khattak on Wednesday announced 24 Ramazan Sasta bazaars/markets across the division for the convenience of the general public.

Eight bazaars will be set up in Rawalpindi, six in Attock, five in Chakwal, three in Jhelum, and two in Murree. Additionally, price magistrates will be specially deployed in the field to ensure that there is no hoarding or profiteering that exploits the public.

The Commissioner has instructed the Deputy Commissioner (DCs) to complete their preparations for Ramazan. Special points for sugar and Ramazan relief markets will be set up in all districts, where essential items will be available at wholesale prices and subsidized rates for sugar, he maintained.

Khattak further asked to set up Ramazan markets at locations where routine traffic flow does not disrupt traffic and adequate parking, cleanliness and security arrangements can be made.

The Commissioner also directed that before Ramazan, a price control committee meeting should be held to notify and enforce the rates of essential items. Furthermore, price lists should be prominently displayed in the DC and AC offices.

He emphasised that through collaboration with traders and market committee members, the supply of essential items should be ensured to avoid any shortages. To maintain price stability, the details of both existing and required stocks should be closely monitored.

Rawalpindi DC Hassan Waqar Cheema told the meeting that the district administration would establish eight Ramazan relief markets to provide relief to the public. According to the district administration, these markets will be set up in different tehsils, and essential items will be available at wholesale rates to provide maximum relief to the public.

In Rawalpindi city tehsil, markets will be established at Allama Iqbal Park and Haidri Chowk. In Rawalpindi cantt tehsil, a market will be set up at Chohar Model Bazaar, while in Rawalpindi saddar tehsil, a market will be established at Chak Beli Khan.