As the holy month of Ramazan has commenced, the price hike ghost has come out in the shape of profiteers and hoarders who have become active to fleece customers during this mega buying month as the prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed on the very first day of Ramazan.
Like past years on the first day of Ramazan, the Karachi markets have witnessed a considerable increase in number of consumers in general, and the food sector in particular at the advent of the Holy month of Ramazan. On the first day, sale of dates has reached on its peak as everyone needs to break fasting with dates in line with the saying of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
A large number of stalls and handcarts are seen selling dates of different varieties become visible close to mosques, offices and other public places attracting buyers. Locally produced date variety known as Khajji or Khajoor has highest demand during Ramazan due to its texture and taste. Pakistan produces a number of varieties of dates including Aseel, Karbala, Fasli and Kupro of Sindh; Muzawati, Begum Jangi, Jaan Swore, Kehraba and Rabai of Balochistan; Dhakki and Gulistan of NWFP and a seedless variety of Punjab.
According to a survey carried out in retail markets, date is being sold at Rs 180 to Rs 400 per kg depending on quality. The rates of daily use items have doubled while the profiteers and hoarders are set to exploit the people's helplessness. Wholesalers and retailers, particularly of fruits and vegetables, enjoyed a free hand to fleece consumers in the holy month despite of all tall claims of federal and provincial governments.
Fruits and vegetable prices have started climbing up ahead of Ramazan and the retailers expressed fear that they might become much dearer in next couple of days. Highest sale has been witnessed in dates, Bason, Dal Chana, Chat Masala and cooking oil, sugar, cold drinks, Sharbats, mango, banana, watermelon, green chili, lemon. Right now, Bason is available at Rs 180 to Rs 200 per kg and Dal Chana Rs 130 to Rs 160 per kg. Banana at Rs 100 to Rs 150 per dozen, mango at Rs 100 to Rs 250 per kg depending on quality, peach Rs 150 per kg, apple Rs 170 to Rs 250 per kg.
Like the past, this year the government also appears to have failed in controlling the prices even before Ramazan. Unscrupulous hoarders and retailers are coming up with the excuse of short supply from the upcountry, high mercury, devastated roads, rising transport cost and poor law and order situation as reasons being quoted behind the hike. The government initiatives have almost failed to make any impact on the local markets before Ramazan as prices of essential commodities have gone up significantly all over the country. The country is already in the grip of exuberant high prices of daily use commodities. In contrast, most of the other sectors experience a significant decline due to the fact that the month of Ramazan coincides with the summer vacation.
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