Karachi / Lahore / Rawalpindi:
While Ramazan begins, the annual ritual of the arrow prices has once of its ugly head, forcing citizens to break the bank before breaking their fast.
Despite the government’s wishes to brake the profits, the markets tell a different story, with fruits, vegetables, meat and grocery that increases from 10% to 50%, transforming the grocery store into a faith test.
Citizens deplore that even if the sacred month is intended to clean the soul, it is now only emptying the wallet because it becomes an open season for those who are money.
In Karachi, an investigation one day before the start of Ramazan revealed that the cost of basic products had jumped overnight, leaving consumers in shock.
Market rates show that onions sell for Rs 80-100 / kg, RS70-80 / kg potatoes and RS 40 / kg tomatoes, while garlic has climbed to Rs 800 / kg and ginger at Rs 600-800 / Kg.
Green peppers, capsicum and green onions are now at the price of RS200 / kg. Common vegetables such as brinjals, spinach, radish and carrots are Rs 80 / Kg, while cauliflower and turnips are RS100 / kg.
The bitter gourd and the okra will seek Rs 240 / kg, with fresh coriander and mint at Rs 20 per package.
Fruits, a must for Iftar, are also out of reach for many. The bananas are sold for RS200-300 by dozen, Orange RS400-700 by dozen and RS600-800 / kg strawberries. Goyaves are available at RS300 / kg, dates between RS400-800 / kg and watermelon at Rs 200 / Kg.
The prices of the meat also skyrocket. Beef with bones is sold for RS1,300-1,500 / kg, boneless beef for RS1,600-1,800 / kg and sheep for RS2,200 / kg. The prices of the chickens increased to RS700 / kg, while the traditional Ramazan treats like the Samosas, the Pheni and the Dahi Baray have also become expensive, Pheni costing RS1,000-1400 / kg, the Samosas RS480 by dozen and Dahi Baray RS800 / Kg.
In Lahore, inflation bites even harder, the sheep now touching RS 2,500 / kg, the beef at Rs 1.300 / kg and the chicken meat at Rs625 / kg. Basic products such as grams flour (RS 370 / kg), white chickpeas (RS 420 / kg) and cooking oil (RS 550 per liter) have also experienced a significant increase in prices.
The deputy commissioner of Lahore, Rafia Haider, assured the public that the price control teams repressed the profiteers daily.
However, consumers have rejected efforts as a simple lip service. Many complain that price control raids are nothing more than symbolic gestures, with some traders with a fine while the rest of the market continues as usual.
Meanwhile, the situation in Rawalpindi is no different. Daily essential elements such as sugar, flour, lentils and rice have all experienced prices overvoltages, adding households to the burden already in difficulty.
