Price cut claims clash with market reality

CM urges citizens to avoid shops not displaying official rate lists

LAHORE:

Despite official claims of sharp price reductions during Ramazan, a market survey across Lahore found that most essential commodities continued to be sold well above government-notified rates, raising questions about the effectiveness of price control measures.

At a special meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, officials claimed that prices of essential commodities had dropped by more than 50 per cent for the first time in Punjab's history during Ramazan. According to a handout, the chief minister reviewed prices of fruits, vegetables, flour, chicken and other items across the province and lauded the performance of the administrative machinery.

She urged citizens to avoid shops that do not display official rate lists and directed authorities to increase the supply of essential items, particularly in Lahore.

Officials informed the meeting that onion prices had fallen to their lowest level since 2022, while those of ginger, garlic and lemons had also declined. Compared to last year, a downward trend in essential commodity prices was evident, they said.

However, a market survey in various parts of the city presented a contrasting picture. According to the official price list, onions are fixed at Rs53 per kg, but Grade-A dry onions were being sold for up to Rs80 per kg. Tomatoes, officially priced at Rs55, were selling for up to Rs80 per kg in retail markets. Garlic was sold at Rs650 per kg against the notified Rs530, ginger at Rs430 instead of Rs290, and Chinese lemons at Rs140 per kg against the official rate of Rs65.

Similarly, green chilies were sold at Rs200 per kg compared to the notified Rs140, potatoes at Rs40 instead of Rs20, cucumber at Rs60 against Rs45, and spinach at Rs60 per kg against the official Rs30. Cauliflower, cabbage, turnip, eggplant, okra and capsicum were also selling significantly above notified rates. Okra, officially priced at Rs215 per kg, was being sold for as high as Rs340, while capsicum fetched Rs200 per kg against the fixed Rs150.

Other vegetables, including peas, radish, mungra, carrots, bottle gourd and fenugreek, were also sold above official prices.

Customers urged the administration to ensure strict enforcement of notified rates and take action against profiteers.

The meeting was also informed that during the first five days of Ramazan, more than 3.5 million people had visited 49 Ramazan Negahban Bazaars, where 2.1 million tonnes of food items were sold, resulting in savings of approximately Rs30 million for consumers. Officials said fruits, vegetables, flour and chicken were being sold in Murree at rates lower than Rawalpindi's DC rates. Senior citizen facilitation camps were also established, benefiting around 10,000 elderly shoppers.