Soaring prices leave citizens struggling

Fasting residents fear further price hikes in the coming days

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RAWALPINDI:

With the beginning of Ramazan, the prices of essential food items, including vegetables, fruits, flour, pulses, cooking oil, and sugar, have skyrocketed, causing distress among fasting citizens.

Fruits have become unaffordable for many, making it difficult for people to observe their fasts properly.

For the first time in 40 years in Punjab, the severe economic crisis has prevented the government from setting up subsidised markets or providing financial relief on essential items for Sehri and Iftar.

As a result, an inflation tsunami is engulfing the public.

In local markets, bananas are being sold at Rs300 per dozen, oranges at Rs550–600 per dozen, apples at Rs450 per kg, strawberries at Rs600 per kg, guavas at Rs250 per kg, pomegranates at Rs400 per kg, grapes at Rs350–500 per kg, and melons at Rs250 per kg.

Meanwhile, the price of live chicken has surged to Rs550 per kg, while chicken meat is being sold at Rs780 per kg.

Eggs are priced at Rs287 per dozen, milk at Rs220 per litre, yoghurt at Rs240 per kg, butter at Rs1,200 per kg, and desi ghee has reached an astonishing Rs3,000 per kg.

Despite the escalating crisis, price control magistrates have been focusing only on fining street vendors while failing to curb the rising costs in major markets.

Alarm bells have already been sounded for further price hikes in the coming days, adding to the woes of the citizens during the holy month.