The Rawalpindi district administration and the Kiryana Merchants Association have clashed over newly fixed official prices for pulses, rice, and other essential commodities.
Multiple trader associations, including grocers, mutton and beef sellers, naanbais, and milkmen, have rejected the deputy commissioner's unilateral price notification, calling it "unrealistic" and announcing a protest.
Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema issued the new price list and ordered shops to display it prominently. However, traders say these rates are far below open market prices — for example, milk is officially priced at Rs170 per kg compared to Rs220 in the market; mutton at Rs1,600 per kg versus Rs2,400; and beef at Rs800 per kg versus Rs1,400. Pulses and rice show similar gaps of Rs50 to Rs140 per kg.
Trader leaders, including Kiryana Merchants Association divisional president Saleem Pervaiz Butt and others, said the DC had earlier agreed on higher rates during a meeting but later reduced them unilaterally.
They demanded an urgent meeting of the price control committee to fix rates in line with market conditions, warning that no goods would be sold at the official prices.
They plan to hold a divisional traders' convention and press conference within two days to announce a protest strategy. Meanwhile, the DC has ordered price magistrates to enforce the new list strictly, seal shops, impose heavy fines, and register cases against violators.
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