A new gift of the government for the poor segment of the society as prices of sugar have gone up while the flour totally disappeared from utility stores, but the government showing least interest in controlling the price hikes and in ensuring the availability of the flour.
Pakistanis have been grumbling about rising inflation for more than a year, but in the past few days the sticker shock has grown much worse. Wheat and sugar prices have jumped that now it is going out of reach of the poor segment of the society.
A survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Wednesday revealed that flour the most important ingredients of the food has disappeared from utility stores as people were complaining that government has failed to ensure the smooth supply of flour.
People were angry over the fact that atta (flour) was not available, that food prices are high, and due to this they felt insecure." It's a familiar lament in Pakistan these days. "We are worried about terrorism and other things, but we are more worried about flour and other essential commodities," said Naila a nurse from Islamabad while shopping at Aab Para market.
People complained that five to ten bags of flour (Atta) are supplied after five days but due to insufficient quantity only few men gets 3 to5 kg while the others standing in long queues in heat waiting for flour finally take their way home when their hard efforts bring no fruits to them.
Similarly the prices of sugar have gone up to Rs 7 per kg almost touching Rs 40 per kg while people are left at the mercy of the shopkeepers, hoarders and wholesalers. The people termed it artificial shortage, due to hoarding by the wholesalers and retailers.
The prices of fruits and vegetables have witnessed an increase with Banana going up to Rs 60 per dozen, Guava which was Rs 40 per kg is being sold at Rs 60 per kg. The prices of grapes have increased during the week from Rs 80 per kg as it is Rs 150 to 160 per kg.
Similarly the prices of apple have been increased from Rs 50 per kg to Rs 60-80 per kg. The prices of peach have increased during the week from Rs 80 per kg to Rs 100 per kg. Ahmad Ali a resident of G-6/4 while criticising the artificial shortage and unprecedented price-hike said that increasing rates of electricity tariff, wheat crisis resulting in shortage of flour, doubling flour prices and increase in 'roti' price has wrecked the life of poor.
Similarly vegetable prices increased by 10 to 15 percent posing more threats for poor to have two times meal a day, moreover the prices of cooked vegetable such as lady finger and fresh-been have also doubled.
Muhammad Khaild, a resident of G-6, told this scribe with tears in his eyes, "I am earning just Rs 150-200 per day but you know that the inflation now a day is becoming sky-rocketing. Imagine! How difficult it is to feed 5 family members in just Rs 5500-6000 a month?"
Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration had launched crackdown against the illegal profiteers to curb this tendency during Ramazan and imposed penalty of Rs 270,000 to 500 profiteers, but they failed to continue this exercise and once again given a chance to the hoarders and wholesalers to robe the people. In the light of these facts it is the responsibility of the present government to devise mechanism to check the prices of food and other items and must provide the inflation stricken people some relief.
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