Price control failure persists

LAHORE:

 

Despite repeated claims of enforcement, the government's price control mechanism has largely failed to translate into relief for consumers, as essential food items continue to be sold well above officially notified rates in major markets across the city.

With demand remaining elevated during Eid holidays, a widening gap between official and retail rates has exposed structural weaknesses in enforcement, leaving citizens increasingly frustrated amid rising inflation.

Market surveys across the city show that most commodities from poultry and vegetables to fruits were either unavailable at official rates or sold at significantly higher prices, undermining the effectiveness of the weekly price lists.

This week, live chicken prices were officially fixed at Rs394–408 per kg; however, the commodity remained largely unavailable at these rates. Chicken meat, fixed at Rs591 per kg, was sold between Rs660 and Rs700, while boneless chicken crossed Rs1,000 per kg in several neighbourhoods.

A similar pattern was observed in vegetable markets. Soft-skin new potatoes were fixed at Rs18–20 per kg but sold at Rs30–40, while tomatoes, officially priced at Rs70–75, were available at Rs120–160 per kg. Onion, fixed at Rs70–75, continued to sell at Rs100–130 per kg.

The gap widened for essential kitchen inputs. Local garlic, fixed at Rs167–175 per kg, retailed at Rs220–250, while the Chinese variety reached Rs600 per kg against the official rate of Rs475–495. Ginger, fixed at Rs262–275, was sold at Rs400–450 per kg.

Other vegetables reflected similar disparities. Brinjal, fixed at Rs66–70 per kg, was sold at Rs120–140 per kg, while bitter gourd, officially priced at Rs142–150 per kg, retailed at Rs250–300 per kg. Spinach, fixed at Rs23–25 per kg, was sold at Rs60–80 per kg.

Zucchini, cucumbers, lemons, and capsicum also recorded sharp deviations from official rates, while several items, including mongray and mustard leaves, were largely unavailable despite being listed in official price notifications.

Fruit markets showed equally significant gaps. Apples, fixed between Rs270 and Rs440 per kg, sold at Rs350–700 depending on quality and variety. Bananas exceeded official rates by up to Rs100 per dozen, while dates - a key commodity during Ramazan - were sold at Rs800 to Rs1,200 per kg against official prices of Rs360–475.

Citrus fruits also remained out of reach for many consumers. Kinnow, fixed at Rs220–335 per dozen, retailed at Rs450–700, while pomegranates exceeded Rs1,000 per kg despite significantly lower official rates.

Citizens and market observers attribute the persistent mismatch to weak enforcement and limited monitoring of neighbourhood markets, where the majority of consumers make their purchases.

While authorities continue to highlight inspection drives and fines, shopkeepers often resume overcharging shortly after officials leave. In many cases, penalties are treated as a routine cost of doing business, ultimately passed on to consumers.

"There is no real check in the markets. Officials come, impose a fine, and leave - after that, everything goes back to the same," said a shopper, Rafique Ahmed.

For citizens, the impact is immediate and severe, particularly for low- and middle-income households already grappling with broader economic pressures.

"Prices are out of control. We check the official list, but nothing is available at those rates," said Muhammad Imran, a resident of Lahore. "Our expenses keep increasing, but our income does not."

Another customer, Farzana Bibi, said families are being forced to cut back on essential purchases. "We are buying less vegetables and fruit now. Even basic items are becoming unaffordable," she said.

Experts suggest that without consistent monitoring, stricter penalties for repeat violations, and better supply chain management, the current system is unlikely to deliver meaningful relief.

As post-Eid demand stabilises, the coming weeks will show whether official rate lists will continue to exist largely as symbolic documents with little impact on everyday market realities.