Ramazan's arrival triggers price hikes

With little or no monitoring, sellers charge exorbitant prices for basic food supplies

PESHAWAR:

Following the arrival of the holy month of Ramazan, the locals of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are seen grappling with the devastating effects of soaring inflation, which has significantly impacted their ability to make end meets on a daily basis.

Despite the government claiming to tackle the issue, the situation remains dire, with essential commodities in the market becoming increasingly unaffordable. One of the key reasons behind this unbridled price hike is the failure of the Price Review Committee to take action, leading to skyrocketing prices for bare necessities.

Currently, in Peshawar, meat prices range from Rs1,200 to Rs1,400 per kilogram, while chicken is being sold at an all-time high of Rs506 per kilogram. Similarly, milk prices have also been affected by food inflation, with prices per liter ranging from Rs230 to Rs240, marking a significant increase from the prices observed during the previous years.

Shakil Khan, a local from Peshawar, shared his two cents on the severe inflation spell during Ramazan, which in his opinion, had become an annual trend over the past few years.

"Hoarders and profiteers take advantage of this holy month, raking in billions at the cost of the public.

Furthermore, district administration officials are either preoccupied with social media platforms like TikTok or conduct superficial visits to a few shops, showcasing these actions on Facebook without addressing the core issue," lamented Khan.

"In the past, the administration used to organize 'Sasta Bazaars' (cheap markets) during Ramazan where people could buy essential items at reasonable prices, but this year there is no such initiative. The prices are skyrocketing, and there is no relief in sight," he added.

Nasim Bibi, a mother of four children revealed that she was a housewife while her husband was a rickshaw driver. Nasim's household was barely making ends meet due to artificial inflation, whereby the shopkeepers in her area were not adhering to the official price lists and each vendor was charging whatever they deemed fit.

"The rising costs of essential items have made it nearly impossible to manage the home and take care of my children. There is no sense of accountability. While the government continues to make claims about providing relief, we have yet to see any tangible benefits. The provincial government and district administration need to review their performance and ensure that the public receives some real relief," she urged.

For many households like that of Nasim, managing household expenditures has become increasingly difficult thanks to profiteers looting locals during the blessed season.

Khalid Farooq, a government employee, also expressed his concerns over the recent wave of inflation.

"Both private and government workers are suffering since a large portion of their salaries is either consumed by utility bills or school fees for their children. The district administration must do more to improve their performance and ease the financial burden on the public," Farooq emphasized.

On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar, Sarmad Saleem, defended the district administration's efforts, stating that they have been regularly visiting markets and taking action against those found violating the official price lists.

"Hundreds of shopkeepers have already been fined for overcharging. We urge the public to cooperate with the administration and report any incidents of

price hikes or violations. We will take appropriate action," he affirmed.