Karachi/lahore/rawalpindi:
When Ramazan begins, the annual ritual of shot prices has once again raised his ugly head, forcing citizens to break the bank before breaking their fast.
Despite the government’s votes to control the specification of the markets, markets tell a different history, with fruits, vegetables, meat and groceries by 10% to 50%, turning the purchases of groceries into a faith test.
Citizens regret that the Holy Month is destined to clean the soul, now only empties the wallet, since it becomes an open season for those who charge need.
In Karachi, a survey conducted one day before the beginning of Ramazan revealed that the cost of basic products had increased overnight, leaving consumers staggering.
Market rates show that onions are sold for RS 80-100/kg, RS70-80/kg potatoes and RS 40/kg tomatoes, while garlic has shot at RS 800/kg and ginger at RS 600-800/kg.
Green chiles, pepper and green onions now have a price of RS200/kg. Common vegetables like Brinjals, spinach, radish and carrots are RS 80/kg, while cauliflower and turnips are RS100/kg.
Pumpkin and bitter okra are obtaining RS 240/kg, with fresh coriander and mint at RS 20 per package.
Fruits, a basic element for Ifar, are also out of the reach of many. Bananas are sold for RS200-300 per dozen, oranges RS400-700 for dozen and strawberries RS600-800/kg. The Guayanes are available in RS300/kg, dates between RS400-800/kg and watermelon at RS 200/kg.
Meat prices have also triggered. Bone beef is sold for RS1,300-1,500/kg, beef boneless by RS1,600-1,800/kg and lamb for RS2,200/kg. Chicken prices have increased to RS700/kg, while the traditional ramazan treats such as Samosas, Pheni and Dahi Baray have also become expensive, with Feni that cost RS1,000-1,400/kg, Samosas RS480 for dozen and Dahi Baray RS800/kg.
In Lahore, inflation is biting even harder, with a lamb that now plays RS 2,500/kg, beef at RS 1,300/kg and chicken meat at RS625/kg. Basic products such as Gram flour (RS 370/kg), white chickpeas (RS 420/kg) and kitchen oil (RS 550 per liter) have also seen price increases.
The deputy commissioner of Lahore, Rafia Haider, assured the public that the price control teams were taking energetic measures against deposits daily.
However, consumers ruled out efforts as a simple lip service. Many complain that price control raids are nothing more than symbolic gestures, with some fined merchants, while the rest of the market continues businesses as usual.
Meanwhile, the situation in Rawalpindi is no different. Daily essential elements such as sugar, flour, lentils and rice have seen price surge, which adds to the burden of households that already fight.
