With limited room for subsidies and heavy reliance on indirect taxes, future budget measures could put upward pressure on prices, particularly affecting urban consumers. Photo (file)
LAHORE:
Despite repeated calls for compliance, 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 the officially notified rates in major city markets.
As demand remains high during the Eid holidays, a widening gap between official and retail rates has exposed structural weaknesses in enforcement, leaving citizens increasingly frustrated amid rising inflation.
Citywide market studies show that most products, from poultry and vegetables to fruits, were not available at official prices or were sold at significantly higher prices, undermining the effectiveness of weekly price lists.
This week, live chicken prices were officially fixed at Rs 394-408 per kg; however, the commodity remained largely unavailable at these prices. Chicken meat, fixed at Rs 591 per kg, was sold between Rs 660 and Rs 700, while boneless chicken was over Rs 1,000 per kg in several neighbourhoods.
A similar pattern was observed in vegetable markets. Soft-skinned new potatoes were priced at Rs 18-20 per kg but sold at Rs 30-40, while tomatoes, officially priced at Rs 70-75, were available at Rs 120-160 per kg. Onion, fixed at Rs 70-75, continued to sell at Rs 100-130 per kg.
The gap widened in the case of essential kitchen supplies. Local garlic, priced at Rs 167 to Rs 175 per kg, was sold at Rs 220 to Rs 250, while the Chinese variety fetched Rs 600 per kg against the official price of Rs 475 to Rs 495. Ginger, priced at Rs 262 to Rs 275, was selling at Rs 400 to Rs 450 per kg.
Other vegetables reflected similar disparities. Brinjal, priced at Rs 66-70 per kg, was sold at Rs 120-140 per kg, while bitter gourd, officially priced at Rs 142-150 per kg, was sold at Rs 250-300 per kg. Spinach, fixed at Rs 23-25 per kg, was sold at Rs 60-80 per kg.
Zucchini, cucumbers, lemons and peppers also recorded large deviations from official rates, while several products, including mongray and mustard leaves, were largely unavailable despite appearing in official price notifications.
Fruit markets showed equally significant gaps. Apples, priced between Rs 270 and Rs 440 per kg, are sold between Rs 350 and Rs 700, depending on the quality and variety. Bananas exceeded official prices by up to Rs 100 per dozen, while dates, a key commodity during Ramadan, sold for between Rs 800 and Rs 1,200 per kg, against official prices of Rs 360 to Rs 475.
Citrus fruits also remained out of reach for many consumers. Kinnow, pegged at Rs 220-335 per dozen, was selling at Rs 450-700, while pomegranates exceeded Rs 1,000 per kg despite significantly lower official prices.
Citizens and market observers attribute the persistent mismatch to weak enforcement and limited monitoring of neighborhood markets, where most consumers shop.
While authorities continue to highlight inspection campaigns and fines, merchants often return to overcharging soon after officials leave. In many cases, penalties are treated as a routine cost of doing business that is ultimately passed on to consumers.
“There is no real control in the markets. Officials come, impose a fine and leave, then everything is the same again,” said a shopper, Rafique Ahmed.
For citizens, the impact is immediate and severe, particularly for low- and middle-income households already facing broader economic pressures.
“The prices are out of control. We checked the official list, but there is nothing available at those prices,” said Muhammad Imran, a Lahore resident. “Our expenses continue to increase, but our income does not.”
Another customer, Farzana Bibi, said families are being forced to cut back on essential purchases. “We now buy less vegetables and fruits. Even basic products are becoming unaffordable,” he said.
Experts suggest that without constant monitoring, stricter penalties for repeat offenses and better supply chain management, the current system is unlikely to provide significant relief.
As post-Eid demand stabilizes, the coming weeks will show whether official rate lists will continue to exist largely as symbolic documents with little impact on the day-to-day realities of the market.
