Prices of daily use items including sugar, pulses, fruits, vegetables, meat and chicken have shoot up at least by 20 percent before the advent of the holy month of Ramazan, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed. As Ramazan approaches, retailers have started fleecing masses and earning windfall profits.
Prices of essential kitchen items like cooking oil, flour, pulses, milk, sugar, onion, tomatoes, garlic and other vegetables have been increased manifold this week. Vegetables like onions, tomatoes and garlic are being sold at Rs 160 per five kg, Rs 140 per five kg and Rs 50 per Kg, respectively at retail outlets, while their price in vegetable and fruit markets of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are Rs 100, Rs 100 and Rs 40, respectively.
It is evident that retailers of the twin cites have started overcharging. Though price control magistrates and inspectors are raiding the shops, but they are mainly focusing on their share from the profiteers, it is emerged. The public has become inured to the massive rise in prices of food items during Ramazan and this year appears to be no different.
The authorities tasked to ensure availability of commodities at fixed prices are, as usual, not only helpless in controlling the prices but are compelling the traders to sell commodities at even higher prices by demanding their share, which is charged from the public adding it in the commodities prices.
Sadly enough, the increase in the price of kitchen items before and during Ramazan has become a permanent feature in Pakistan and just a week ahead of Ramazam prices of fruits, Ramazan specific items ie Samosas, Pakoras, Kachories, dates, sweets, soft drinks and vegetables have gone up.
Fareed Ahmed Qureshi, a private employee, said that questioned the performance of concerned authorities ie City District Govt Rawalpindi and Islamabad's local administration and Price Control Committees, saying why they are always unable to control price hike during the holy month of Ramzan.
Iqbal Jafry, a journalist commenting on the situation said that during the holy month of Ramazan common man wants to buy some additional items for Iftar, but the price hike makes this impossible. He questioned the piety of the traders who offer prayers five times a day and fast but then indulge in profiteering.
Usama Khan, a Taxi driver, said "I am sorry to say we in Pakistan are mostly Muslims and our mosques remain house-full during holy month of Ramazan but no one stops lying, cheating or profiteering". When asked how prices can be checked Anwar Khattak said that the local government as well as federal and provincial governments should be strict in enforcing a reasonable price and it should be uniform for all of Pakistan and any trader caught over charging should be immediately fined.
Shafqat Mehboob a shopkeeper lamented that at the end of the day, it is the general public that has to bear the burden of the government's indifference and the merchants' greed. The situation is so bad that even in Sunday Bazaars where the shopkeepers are meant to follow the official prices, customers are complaining of over charging. Price inspectors and special magistrates have failed to enforce government notified prices.