The government has failed to control the prices of products used most commonly during Ramadan. A survey by Online in Islamabad on Sunday showed that prices of beverages escalated in the days building up to Ramadan, as their use was expected to increase due to the hot season.
A bottle of Rooh Afza which cost Rs 130 before Ramadan was priced at Rs 160 since the holy month began. Similarly, prices of Jam-i-Shereen and other beverages went up. The government however had no mechanism in place to control the price hike of such products.
Sugar, which is used in preparation of beverages and tea, was sold at Rs 72 per kg before the holy month, but has since been sold at Rs 76 per kg.
Dates are used in Ramadan as a religious commitment. A 60 percent hike in their price was noticed – despite Pakistan being the fifth largest producer of dates in the world, and this being the prime season.
“We have to buy it for swab (reward), and we would never care for the price. However, the buying power of the public has been badly affected due to continuous inflation,” said Suleman, 45, a resident of G-6.
Pakoras made of gram flour are common in Pakistani culture and their use increases in Ramadan. The price of gram flour thus rose by Rs 10 per kg. Its price was recorded as Rs 75 per kg before Ramadan, and Rs 85 after the start of the month.
The intake of eggs generally increases in this month. Eggs were sold at the rate Rs 78 per dozen, however now, a dozen costs Rs 85.
Similarly, an increase in the prices of potatoes, garlic, ginger and other products was also noticed in the open market.
However, prices of the majority of vegetables and fruits remained unchanged, with a slight variance recorded in prices of some among them.
“Price hike of vegetables and fruits was noticed in first two or three days of the month but gradually it was lowered to the position which existed before Ramzan,” said Samina, shopping in G-8.
Prices of certain basic items like wheat flour have dropped – not because of efforts made by the government, but because of the season.
“Wheat is available in abundance in the country because the crop has recently been harvested, and prices of the product generally remain low in July and August,” said a shopkeeper of a general store in G-9.
The government had claimed before the beginning of Ramadan that a mechanism to manage prices was in action, and provinces were directed to keep market prices in control.
Federal Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan said keeping eye on prices in Islamabad was the responsibility of the government.
