KARACHI – With the government having failed to check milk prices in the city, the per litre price of yoghurt has also surged by nine rupees, Pakistan Today has learnt. With mercury rising in Karachi, demand for yogurt has increased amid increased use for consumption, cooking, and even making Lassi.
On Wednesday, however, milk sellers had started charging as high as Rs 89 for a kilo of yoghurt from ill-informed consumers. Milk retailers had recently increased the per litre price of fresh milk by Rs10, selling milk at Rs60 to Rs70 per litre. Karachi Dairy Farmers Association President Haji Akhtar Gujjar claimed that an increase in rates of buffaloes, commodities and fuel, along with the animal shortage have contributed to the sudden increase in the rates.
This increase has not been sanctioned by the government: the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has warned milk sellers not to sell milk at excessive prices, or they will have to face strict action. Sources in the CDGK claimed District Coordination Officer (DCO) Mohammad Hussain Syed – who is also controller of general prices – has taken strict notice of increase in milk prices by the Karachi Dairy Farmers Association and the Dairy Farmers Association of Karachi.
The CDGK has urged citizens to lodge complaints of overcharging for milk on 1339, 9-923-2095, 9-923-1328 and 9-923-1329. The DCO has also directed the executive district officer of enterprise and investment promotion to initiate action against representatives of dairy farmers. Despite these claims, government rules continue to be ignored at markets while there is no mechanism to check prices of essential consumable items.
