With the holy month of Ramazan likely to begin in the first week of August, the new commissioner-led city district management is yet to issue the official price list for essential commodities.
Under the now-defunct City District Government Karachi (CDGK), usually the prices of daily-use items were fixed by the CDGK’s Enterprises and Investment Promotion Department (E&IP) after consulting all the stakeholders and the list issued at least 15 days before the start of Ramazan.
However, the new management, headed by Karachi Commissioner Mohammad Hussain Syed, is facing a number of administrative problems and has still not been able to issue the price lists, insiders in the commissioner’s office told Pakistan Today.
The late issuance of the official price list by the new administration under the commissionerate system is expected to cause problems for the already poverty-stricken people of the metropolis, as with only three or four days left in Ramazan, the price list if released will largely be ignored by the traders.
Interestingly, the new management is also lacking proper magisterial powers for taking action against traders involved in fleecing the poor masses during Ramazan.
According to sources, recently the city commissioner held a meeting with all stakeholders in the city including poultry dealers, bakery associations, milk associations, egg dealers, fruits associations, etc. Whereas, the five deputy commissioners were also directed take the stakeholders onboard and ensure compliance of the fixed rates for commodities in order to provide relief to the people during Ramazan.
Talking with Pakistan Today, former CDGK E&IP executive district officer (EDO) Dr Saifur Rehman, who works on the same position under the new management, said the official price list of commodities was prepared and the commissioner will issue the document in a day or two.
“Under the previous system, the price list was issued at least 15 days before Ramazan so that people could get an idea about of prices. However, the system has been changed that it will definitely take some time for the things to come in a proper order.”
