Vegetable prices shoot up in open market

A steep and unprecedented rise in the prices of peas, tomatoes and locally grown Pakistani carrots in the open market has left consumers deeply distressed.

Peas are now retailing at Rs600 per kilogramme, tomatoes at Rs500 per kilogramme, and local carrots at Rs300 per kilogramme. Prices of these essential vegetables have been climbing steadily over the past two days.

As a result of the sharp price hikes, small neighbourhood shopkeepers have halted the sale of peas and tomatoes altogether. Even green coriander, which has traditionally been handed out free of charge with vegetable purchases, is now being sold at Rs60 for a small bunch and Rs80 for a large bunch.

Owing to this increase, many vendors have stopped the long-standing practice of offering coriander as a complimentary garnish.

Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema announced that he would personally monitor the auction and wholesale pricing of peas, tomatoes, carrots and other vegetables at the city's central wholesale market.

Price magistrates have been instructed to closely oversee the auctions to prevent price manipulation and profiteering.