Rawalpindi:
With the next implementation of the fiscal year avoin, wholesale markets have begun to increase prices.
The price of a 50 kg sugar bag increased in RS300 on Wednesday, and an additional increase of RS200 is expected this week, which raises the retail price of sugar in RS10 to RS190 per kg.
The price of tea leaves reached RS2,200 per kg, while lentils and rice experienced increases per RS350 and RS400 bag, respectively.
Wholesale merchants have warned that new prices will be issued for all edible items within the next ten days due to recent taxes.
They have also reduced the supply of sugar, rice and lentils by 30 to 40 percent, causing shortage in city stores.
The president of the Association of Compilers merchants, Salim Pervez Butt, declared that the prices of essential items such as pulses, sugar, ghee and rice are increasing in RS100 to RS200 per bag daily.
Despite payments and orders, wholesalers do not meet the demand. The increase in fuel prices has also made transport more expensive.
He criticized the authorities for attacking small retailers while ignoring large -scale price increases by wholesalers.
He questioned the early increase in prices, since the new taxes will take effect on July 1. The fears are increasing that dairy, butchers and bakers will also increase the prices of milk, yogurt, meat and bread in July due to these fiscal measures.
