Price hike hits purchasing power

ISLAMABAD: As summer approaches, the prices of fruits and vegetables have increased significantly over the past few days in the twin cities.

Starting at Rs80, the prices of apples, bananas, melons and other fruits are increasing rapidly, making it difficult for people to buy them in bulk. The prices of vegetables is also increasing similarly. Sara Shahid, a housewife, said the price hike had disturbed her weekly budget for groceries and she was buying less vegetables and fruits. “The government is doing nothing to help us, it’s becoming more and more difficult for us to meet these price increases,” she told the media. Weekly bazaars have become increasingly popular for residents of the twin cities where they can find daily commodities at lower prices in comparison to the market.

“Commodities at these bazaars are being sold according to the rate list provided by the Capital Development Authority (CDA),” said Gul Zaman, a vegetable vendor, at the H-9 weekly bazaar. According to the price list issued by the CDA, price of potatoes in the weekly bazaar on Friday, was Rs.76 per five kg, whereas at the weekly bazaar it was being sold between Rs76 to 82.

The price of onions was listed at Rs156 per 5 kg as against Rs80 in the weekly bazaar, tomatoes at Rs16 as compared to Rs20 rupees per kg at the weekly bazaar. One kilogram of golden apples were being sold at Rs100 against Rs110, bananas per dozen at Rs45 against Rs50. The rates of melon was Rs130 to 140 per 5kg.