In a pickle: Grocery prices remain unaltered in Gilgit

GILGIT:

Though fuel prices have been slashed by the government, the benefit is yet to trickle down to the people in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).

“The prices of grocery and other daily commodities are still soaring,” said Imtiaz Khan, a resident of Gilgit, on Friday. “We were expecting a considerable decrease in prices of daily items transported to Gilgit but that has not happened,” he complained.

Most of commodities are transported to G-B from Rawalpindi via the Karakoram Highway since the local food industry is not sufficient for subsistence. Prices double by the time the goods reach G-B, due to transportation costs based on the 600km journey.

Altaf Hussain, a vegetable and fruit vendor, said retailers cannot reduce prices on their own. “We buy from fruit and vegetable markets and the prices there are still unchanged,” he added.

Hussain said a dozen bananas cost him Rs70 which he sells at Rs85. Meanwhile in Rawalpindi, the same would cost a shopkeeper Rs50 at most, he explained.

“The matter should be investigated seriously,” said G-B Minister for Minerals Muhammad Naseer. “We will take the issue up and ensure the relief is passed on to G-B,” he told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2014.