RAWALPINDI:
Following a rise in prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and transport fares, prices of all foodstuffs, essential commodities, vegetables, fruits and grocery items have risen sharply in the open market, curbing Eid shopping and spoiling the festive spirit of low-income and government employees.
Prices at low-cost facilitation markets, pushcarts and pushcart bazaars have also doubled, while the price control system has become ineffective.
In the open market, prices of all varieties of pulses, rice and spices have increased by Rs 30 to Rs 50 per kilogram.
There is no wholesale grain market in Rawalpindi, and all groceries and wheat are transported from Sargodha and Faisalabad, where transportation costs have doubled.
The president of the Grocery Traders Association has demanded that the price control committee convene a meeting to determine new prices for pulses, rice, sugar, flour and other essential commodities.
In the open market, white chickpeas are sold at Rs 450 per kg, red beans at Rs 440 per kg, pureed pulses at Rs 550 per kg, gram pulses at Rs 360 per kg and moong pulses at Rs 340 per kg.
Flour is available at Rs 155 per kg, refined flour at Rs 165 per kg and gram flour at Rs 350 to Rs 380 per kg. The juice sells for Rs 1,000 a bottle.
Among fruits, apples are sold at Rs 300-400 per kg, guava at Rs 250-300 per kg, pomegranates at Rs 700-800 per kg, strawberries at Rs 650-800 per kg, grapes at Rs 700-800 per kg, papaya at Rs 350-400 per kg and watermelon and melon at between 200 and 800 rupees per kg. 250 rupees per kg.
Bananas sell for between Rs 200 and Rs 300 per dozen, while kinnow, malt and oranges are priced between Rs 300 and Rs 400 per dozen. Chinese pears sell for 500 rupees per kilo and coconut for 500 rupees per piece.
Chicken meat is sold at Rs 520 per kg, mutton at Rs 2,500 per kg and beef at Rs 1,400 per kg.
