Price hike hits markets before Eid

As the last ten days of Ramazan begin and only five days remain until Eidul Fitr, the district's 60 price control magistrates appear completely powerless to control inflation.

Increases in petrol, diesel and kerosene prices have sharply raised goods transportation costs, triggering a second wave of inflation.

The freight cost of transporting containers loaded with goods from Karachi to Rawalpindi and Peshawar has risen from Rs360,000 to Rs635,000.

In the open market, chicken meat is being sold at Rs550 per kilogramme, eggs at Rs230 per dozen, mutton at Rs2,500 per kilogramme, beef at Rs1,400 per kilogramme, milk at Rs220 per litre and yogurt at Rs240 per kilogramme.

White chickpeas are priced at Rs425 per kilogramme, gram lentils at Rs380, red beans at Rs550 per kilogramme and gram flour at Rs360 per kilogramme. Cooking oil and ghee are selling at Rs510 per kilogramme.

Nan bread costs Rs35, paratha Rs60, and a cup of tea Rs100.