Ramazan Bazaar. PHOTO:EXPRESS
LAHORE:
As Ramazan draws to a close, the government’s campaign to enforce official price lists in Lahore markets appears to have brought little tangible relief to consumers, with traders continuing to sell essential goods well above notified rates.
Market studies suggest that most food products – from vegetables and fruits to poultry and dairy products – remain unavailable at government-set prices. For many residents, the weekly price lists published by the district administration have increasingly become symbolic rather than actionable.
Officials have maintained that inspection campaigns are being carried out and sanctions imposed to curb excessive charges.
However, consumers say the enforcement effort has largely focused on Sahulat Ramazan bazaars: subsidized markets that operate under a separate administrative structure designed to provide basic goods at controlled prices.
Critics argue that the emphasis on these bazaars has diverted attention from the much larger network of neighborhood markets where most residents buy their daily groceries. Instead of ensuring compliance in open markets, the district administration and the special assistant on food safety and consumer protection have repeatedly highlighted visits to Ramazan bazaars as proof of compliance.
Analysts say that while problems at subsidized bazaars can often be addressed through administrative coordination, the real challenge lies in monitoring the thousands of outlets operating across the city.
Violations of official price lists remain widespread in the markets. Essential commodities (including milk, curd, pulses and perishables) are rarely sold at prices set by the authorities.
Deputy commissioners occasionally levy fines during inspections, but merchants frequently return to overcharging once officials leave. Traders in several markets recognized that such sanctions had a limited deterrent effect.
Instead, fines are often treated as a routine business expense, with the additional cost ultimately passed on to customers through higher prices.
Consumers called for a robust price control strategy that prioritizes consistent monitoring of all markets, stricter penalties for repeat offenders, and enforcement mechanisms capable of translating official policies into real relief for households.
The latest weekly fare list illustrates the widening gap between official prices and prevailing market prices.
Live chicken prices increased by Rs 10 per kilogram on the official list to Rs 339-353, but the product was largely unavailable at those prices in many neighborhoods. Chicken meat rose by Rs 14 to an official price of Rs 511 per kg, while consumers paid between Rs 560 and Rs 630. Boneless chicken was around Rs 950 per kg in several areas.
Vegetable markets showed a similar pattern. Soft-skinned new potatoes were officially fixed at Rs 18-20 per kg but were sold at Rs 30-40.
Tomatoes maintained their official price between Rs 60 and Rs 65 per kg, although retail prices ranged between Rs 120 and Rs 160. Onions increased by Rs 8 per kg to Rs 55-60 but continued to sell between Rs 80 and Rs 120.
Chinese lemons are still trading at Rs 60-65 per kg but are sold between Rs 120-250.
Peas maintained their official price between Rs 38 and Rs 40 per kg, but were sold between Rs 80 and Rs 100. Beetroot retails between Rs 200 and Rs 400 per kg. Coriander was available at around Rs 50 per packet, while turnips, pegged at Rs 23-25 per kg, were sold at Rs 60-80. Mustard greens, fixed at Rs 28-30 per kg, retail at around Rs 60.
Fruit markets also showed significant disparities. The apples were officially priced between Rs 250 and Rs 420 per kg, but were sold between Rs 350 and Rs 700, depending on the quality. Category A bananas were fixed at Rs 215 to Rs 240 per dozen but retailed at Rs 300 to Rs 350, while Category B bananas, fixed at Rs 125 to Rs 140 per dozen, retailed at Rs 200 to Rs 250.
Kandhari pomegranates were fixed at Rs 601-630 per kg but were sold between Rs 800 and Rs 1,000. Melons, officially reduced to Rs 100-135, retail at Rs 200-250 per kg. Strawberries, priced at Rs 247-260 per kg in the official list, were selling at Rs 300-350, while grapes, officially pegged at Rs 420-600 per kg, were retailing at Rs 600-1,000.
