Magistrates fail to rein in runaway prices

The district's 60 price control magistrates appear ineffective in curbing inflation, as the prices of essential items continue to rise amid shortages in sugar and cooking oil supplies.

Current market rates show live chicken selling at Rs415/kg, chicken meat at Rs610/kg, eggs at Rs277/dozen, mutton at Rs2,400/kg, and beef at Rs1,400/kg.

Sugar is priced at Rs185/kg, while ghee and cooking oil range from Rs510–515 per pack.

Pulses and dairy prices have also surged. Chickpeas at Rs380/kg, mash at Rs550/kg, milk at Rs220/litre, and yogurt at Rs240/kg.

Fruit and vegetable prices remain high, with bananas selling for Rs200–250/dozen, mangoes and guavas at Rs200–250/kg, and cherries at Rs500/kg.

Among vegetables, potatoes are Rs60/kg, onions Rs70/kg, garlic Rs350/kg, and ginger Rs650/kg.

Prices may ease slightly starting Monday, May 12, as wholesale markets reopen.

The Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal has directed relevant departments to ensure that sudden price spikes are not reported before Eidul Azha and the essential commodities remain reasonably priced.

However, his directives seem to have had little impact.

The federal minister was chairing a meeting on Wednesday to review the current price trends of essential commodities across the country. Iqbal directed relevant departments to ensure five essential commodities, namely sugar, ghee, potato, onion, and tomato, are reasonably priced.