Food prices hit record high in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI:

Prices of essential commodities, including fruits, vegetables, pulses, meat, and eggs, have skyrocketed in the open market, while the district's 60 price control magistrates appear completely helpless in curbing the inflation.

Sunday bazaars, once known for affordable shopping, have turned into hubs for rotten vegetables and fruits.

With utility stores closed, the supply of affordable pulses, ghee, oil, and other essentials has also stopped.

Market rates have soared. Sugar is selling at Rs190 per kg, white chickpeas at Rs440 per kg, red kidney beans Rs400, gram lentils Rs350, mash lentils Rs550, rice Rs400 per kg, eggs Rs313 per dozen, chicken Rs600 per kg, mutton Rs2,400, beef Rs1,400, milk Rs220 per litre, and yoghurt Rs240 per kg.

Vegetables and fruits have also seen sharp price hikes with potatoes being sold at Rs100 per kg, onions at Rs110, lemons at Rs300, peas at Rs350, cauliflower at Rs160, cucumber at Rs100, garlic at Rs350, ginger at Rs550, bitter gourd at Rs180, colocasia at Rs150, and green chilies at Rs160.

Similarly, coriander is being sold at Rs60 per bunch, carrots at Rs200, radish at Rs250, apples at Rs200-400, papaya at Rs450, coconut at Rs450 each, peaches at Rs300-400, guava at Rs200, pears at Rs180, melons at Rs170, grapes at Rs350-450, persimmons at Rs200.